Advice in terms of keeping

The cellar is all that remains once everything has been drunk ! …

Hence, it is advisable to have a good cellar, one that enables the Languedoc AOC wines to continue maturing under the best conditions, some even for ten years or more.

The cellar is the living place for wine, where they continue improving until mature.

Throughout this life cycle, we note the primary period (young wines), the secondary period (floral and fruity aromas have developed and the colours have lost their sharp hue) and the tertiary period (tiled shades for red wines, golden yellow for white wines).  For grand vintages, it is at this point that the wine is at its best.  The amateur must thus learn to recognise this cue in order to take advantage of it before the wine loses all its power, roundness and aromas.

A few tips :

Place the bottles for keeping on the lower shelves to ensure maximum tranquillity.
Remove the bottles from their packaging.
Store the bottles lying down.

The ideal cellar

Since the cellar is the “living room” for wines, several rules need to be adopted :

Temperature
Between 8-12 degrees.  Beyond such temperatures, wines will generally alter.  It is also essential to avoid all significant temperature change, for example between the different seasons.

Humidity
The higher the humidity level, the more the cork retains its suppleness and maintains its sealing function.  A minimum humidity level of 70% is recommended.

Light
Darkness is the rule, since wines wilt in the light, just like fabrics.

Vibrations
They are propagated as waves right inside the bottle.  Wines thus lose their tranquillity.

Ventilation
A slight draught is necessary to ensure renewal of the air.

The average keeping period for Languedoc AOC Wines :

CORBIERES
Red : 2 - 5 years
+ 10 years for good vintages
White and Rosé wines: to be consumed when young

CORBIERES-BOUTENAC
Red : 2 - 5 years
+ 10 years for good vintages
White and Rosé wines: to be consumed when young

LANGUEDOC
Red : 2 - 5 years
4 - 8 years for good vintages
White and Rosé wines: to be consumed when young

MINERVOIS
Red : 2 - 4 years
4 - 8 years for good vintages
White and Rosé wines: to be consumed when young

MINERVOIS LA LIVINIERE
Red : 2 - 4 years
4 - 8 years for good vintages

SAINT CHINIAN
Red wines: 2 - 5 years
2 - 8 years for good vintages
White and Rosé wines: to be consumed when young

FAUGÈRES
Red wines: 2 - 5 years
2 - 8 years for good vintages
White and Rosé wines: to be consumed when young

CLAIRETTE DU LANGUEDOC
Dry: 2 years
Sweet: 5-10 years

LIMOUX
Still red wines: 2 - 5 years
Still white wines: 3 - 6 years

CABARDES
Red wines: 3 - 5 years
Rosé wines: to be consumed when young

MALEPÈRE
Red wines: 3 - 5 years
Rosé wines: to be consumed when young

BLANQUETTE, BLANQUETTE METHODE ANCESTRALE  ET CRÉMANT
Several years, though pleasant when young

MUSCATS
To be drunk young
Keeping: 5 - 7 years