Terrasses du Larzac is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) that became independent from the Côtes du Languedoc region in southern France in 2014 and is made up of 32 villages.
Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre are the main grapes, but Cinsault, Carignan, Moraster and Terre Noir can also be used.
The appellation is described by Master of Wine Jancis Robinson as "the highest prestigious cru in the Coteaux du Languedoc and, together with neighbouring Pic Saint-Loup, one of its most exciting."
The Terrasses du Larzac, which straddles the villages of Aniane and Jonquières, is home to two of the region's greatest winemakers, Mas de Domas Gassac (1974) and Mas Julien (1985), and can be said to be the site of a renaissance for Languedoc wine.
Later, in 1992, Domaine de la Grange des Pères was founded in the village of Aniane.
About the production area
The Terrasses du Larzac are located in the northern part of the Hérault department. They are shaped like an asymmetrical V and are crossed by the Hérault River, which flows north to south.
The Larzac Pass runs along the entire northern border, stretching from the bed of the Lergues River in the west to the flank of the Sérannes Mountains and the Bouège Valley in the northeast.
Mont Saint-Baudil rises in the centre of the first foothills of the Larzac, and at the foot of the Larzac valley there are ancient terraces about 50 metres above the Hérault and L'Hergues rivers.
Some of the slopes that form the natural boundaries of the Terrasses du Larzac are above 800 metres above sea level, but the vineyards classified as Coteaux du Languedoc AOC are located on the slopes of the passes and on the old terraces, at altitudes between 50 and 300 metres.
Soil and Climate
The land is limestone marl with Jurassic limestone cliffs overhanging it. Near the Hérault River, permafrost limestone deposits form terraced fields down to the river.
Although it enjoys the greatest temperature fluctuations in the Languedoc region, its distance from the sea and proximity to the mountain passes means that summer nights are relatively cool, resulting in a slow and steady ripening of the grapes, beneficial for both the colour and aromatic quality of the wine.
AOC regulations
This appellation is for red wines only.
A blend of at least two varieties is required, including Syrah, Grenache or Mourvedre (minimum 60%), with Syrah, Grenache or Mourvedre alone at 75%, Syrah and Mourvedre at a minimum of 20%, and Cinsault and Carignan at a maximum of 30%.
The alcohol content must be at least 12% and the yield must not exceed 45hL per hectare. The vines must be planted at a rate of 4,000 vines per hectare, with a maximum furrow spacing of 2.50m, and must be pruned to a maximum of 10 new shoots per vine. Young vines less than five years old cannot be used.
Handling producers
Domaine Saint-Sylvestre
Sophie and Vincent Guisard cultivate 8 hectares of vineyards in the Terrasses du Larzac, north of Aniane, at an altitude of over 320 metres. The vineyards are divided into three plots surrounding a small chapel (Roman style, built in the 12th century) in the forest.
