La Livinière lies in the heart of the Minervois, in a natural area known as the Petit Causse on the lower slopes of the foothills of the Montagne Noire.  It covers six villages : Azillanet, Azille, Cesseras, Felines Minervois, La Livinière and Siran.  Somehow all I see in this map is a jock strap, so if nothing else it is memorable.

AOC La Livinière

 

It is an area of dry scrubland (” Causse “), the dominant rock and soils are compact limestone and marl.  This marl is somewhat different from much of the limestone rock that punctuates another wonderful area of Minervois between the villages of La Caunette and Minerve.
Situated between the Serre d’Oupia and the hills of Laure-Minervois, the La Livinière appellation is very dry where rainfall represents between 400 and 500 mm per year none of which falls during the summer months. The particularly high daytime heat in this zone is balanced by low night time temperatures induced by fresh air flowing down from the surrounding peaks.  The resulting wines have high acidity and lively fruit freshness.  I am particularly interested in this growing area along with the ridge top above the Cesse River as mentioned above.  It is likely that one of these two areas (or perhaps with time both) will be the fruit source for the Languedoc cuvée of the future.

Vineyards on the Hilltops

Early Fall Beauty

The "Dirt"