Cost: : 979 euro per person (dbl occ)

 

Includes:

• Accommodation in **** hotel (3 nights) , double room with breakfast.
• Midday and evening meals, except on Saturday night
• Permanent escort by a wine professional.
• Training and workshop of tasting
• A carnet and its tasting data sheets
• Transport in air conditioned vehicle.
• Visit of Carcassonne and the Abbey of Fontfroide
  

Itinerary

Thursday : Welcome and Reception

Arrival and reception in a charming winegrower house of the 19th century, located in a typical village. Dinner with the hosts, wine included

Friday : Cru Boutenac, Abbey of Fontfroide and olive oil tasting

In the morning, we will start with a tasting workshop, followed by a tasting of wines
belonging to one of the best Cru - Corbières Boutenac. Then lunch at the Fontfroide Abbey, where we will savor a delicious Mediterranean menu and wines. The midday will be dedicated to a promenade in the massif of Fontfroide, followed by a guided tour of the Abbey. First Benedictine, then Cistercian, it was founded in the 11th century and became a bastion of Catholic Orthodoxy against the Cathars in the 13th century. We will then go to Bize Minervois for a meeting with the producers of a wonderful olive oil, extolled by the great chef Joël Robuchon. Later we will return to our guest house, for dinner prepared by Mr Delvaulx, including wine.

Saturday : Mountain and the Medieval City of Carcassonne

Departure for a Wine Chateaux « reserved only for wine lovers! ». We will taste the red wines of the Corbières region at « Alaric Mountain » distinguished by its specialized press. Lunch in a beautiful Inn located in Conilhac, then departure for the impressive Carcassonne, the largest European medieval city. A local guide will narrate the history of this region, which saw the beginning and the end of then Cathars. Free  time, meeting point and return to Griffon Winery.

Sunday : Winegrower’s walk in Luc sur Orbieu

Departure for Luc’s castle, dating from the 18th century. Welcome by a passionate wine grower who manages a Corbières winery. We will take a walk with him and learn wine development and process in the region. We shall be guided through the wine cellar before savoring its wines and a Winegrower’s food plate

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ACCOMODATION

You will stay in a traditional winegrower’s residence built in the 19th century, located in the middle of the Boutenac vineyard, right in the heart of the Corbières region. Managed by a lovely couple Patrick and Brigitte, these warmhearted people are exceptional hosts who will make you feel at home.

TERROIRS AND WINES

AOC CORBIERES

Between stirring Pyrenees and the old Central Massif, Corbières region experienced a very complex geological history, which explains the large diversity of soil (schist, limestone, sandstone, marl…) This Corbières appellation is created by 11 different terroirs. Dominated by the Mediterranean influence which we find in the typical vegetation like the Garrigues, some terroirs, like the most western Alaric Mountain, benefit from the oceanic influence.The Boutenac vineyard, that we will taste, was newly acknowledged by INAO as an Appellation. The grape varieties for the red wine and the rosé are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault and for white wine Grenache, Bourboulenc, Maccabeu, Marsanne, Roussanne. The red wines of Corbières are full bodied. They are astringent and the tannins become suppler with time. The winemaker’s work is remarkable because of the quality and diversity of wines offered. Young wines give aromas of blackcurrant or blackberry. Older wines give notes such as spices, pepper, liquorice, and thyme. High-end red wines are full bodied with old leather, coffee, cacao and game aromas