Is terroir real?

You've probably wondered why wine producers talk about terroir. Maybe you wonder how it's relevant or simply what it is!

'Terroir' is a french word, and it doesn't mean any one thing. It's a compilation of many things at once and is used by winemakers around the world to sum up the unique aspects of their vineyards, including soil characteristics, rainfall, sunshine hours, specific micro-climate, altitude and aspect. All of these things combine to make a specific place suitable for particular grape varieties and also inform the grower on vineyard management, as well as wine-making techniques, to produce an authentic wine that reflects the soul of person and place.

The Languedoc is famous for its 'garrigue' - the native herbs, bushes and shrubs that dot the landscape and impart a unique influence to our wines. The Tramontane wind blows strongly through our vineyards in summer and autumn, protecting the vines from humidity-related diseases so we can farm without artificial chemicals. The warm, dry climate in the Languedoc ensures an even ripening of grapes, particularly Syrah and Viognier, which need a longer-ripening season to reach full maturity.

Anytime you read about or taste a wine from the Languedoc, you probably hear references to "garrigue", which is unique to the south of France. So what is garrigue? The word refers to the mix of herbs and shrubs found everywhere in the arid, wild scrublands of the Languedoc, which emit a heady scent. It's most commonly found in soils that are alkaline, i.e. rich in limestone or calcium deposits, around the Mediterranean basin. In our part of Southern France, the garrigue is mostly made up of wild herbs like lavender, thyme, sage and rosemary and the aromas scent the air, especially during the summer months.

Walking around our vineyards at Châteaux Auzines and Cazal Viel, it would be difficult to see how you could avoid garrigue impacting the wines! Our soils are calcareous-clay and herbs and shrubs grow in abundance. The estates are a haven of natural biodiversity - our HVE Level 3 certification and regenerative agricultural practices mean our hedges and native plants are protected and provide a safe habitat for many insects, birds and other creatures. Wild herbs are growing everywhere and the aromas float through the air. If you pick the leaves and rub them between your fingers the scent lingers, along with a slight oily sensation. This is what happens with the wines - the natural oil essences from these herbs get carried through the air onto the vines and settle on the leaves and grape skins. When the must is macerated with the grape skins, an essence of garrigue is imparted to our red wines, notably Syrah and Grenache. We like to gather these herbs on our weekend walks and we use them to marinate meat for the barbeque and sometimes the children dry them for scented bouquets, which they dot around the house.

At Laurent Miquel we strive to to impart the sunny south of France into every glass of our carefully-crafted, sustainable, low-intervention wines. Apart from giving a helping hand by harvesting at night, which keeps our wines fresh and crisp. we think nature does a very good job on our behalf and we like to leave her to it.

Santé,

Neasa, Laurent and team