Wines of the Cévennes.

The Cévennes, the south-eastern corner of the Massif Central, is a hard and beautiful land, but it is also filled with the dazzling light of the warm south and the sense of freedom that always accompanies vast open spaces. If there really is a heaven, then it probably looks like the flower-strewn rocks and meadows of these timeless limestone uplands.

This rugged, mountainous region is a world of lairs and hideaways, that engenders a spirit of independence and rebellion. But it has also been a land of refuge from persecution, particularly for the Huguenots - the French Protestants, during the Wars of Religion who were protected from attack by the hilly terrain.

Primarily cultivated on limestone soil, the vineyards find themselves in a rolling landscape shaped by rivers with fearfully high water levels, where they stand alongside orchards, olive trees, and grains.

The scattered vineyards of the Cévennes are landscape interspersed with chestnut and olive trees, and mountain sides - a far cry from the carpet of grapevines found on Languedoc’s coastal plain. They enjoy a Mediterranean climate that is cooled by altitude and more moderate winds from the northwest. These both provide micro-climates (terroirs) that are wonderfully suited to viticulture. However, the area is prone to rainstorms caused by the collision of winds from the cold north and the warmer Mediterranean, the redoubtable épisodes cévenols, so most vineyards are planted on slopes where there is enough natural drainage to ensure the vines are not swamped or flooded. Here, excellent exposure to sunlight and the prevailing winds help grapes reach optimal ripeness

The winemakers of the Cévennes have a taken full advantage of the French IGP classification for which the Languedoc is famous. Their rebellious and independent spirit has translated into innovation. The micro-climates of the region and the long list of permitted grape varieties in IGP Cévennes wines have allowed them to handcraft extraordinary blends that are unavailable anywhere else in France.

Sunny days followed by cool nights boost the level of balance and finesse; the reds are characterized by their elegance, their aromatic strength, and their tannic structures;  the whites and the rosés are medium to full bodied yet supported by a lovely acidity and fruitiness.