Conservation 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 :TemperatureBetween 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.HumidityThe higher the humidity level, the more the cork retains its suppleness and maintains its sealing function. A minimum humidity level of 70% is recommended.LightDarkness is the rule, since wines wilt in the light, just like fabrics.VibrationsThey are propagated as waves right inside the bottle. Wines thus lose their tranquillity.VentilationA 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