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The Vineyard

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The Vineyard

Domaine de Martinolles qualifies for the title "Reasoned Agriculture"

Terroir- Grape varieties- Reasoned Agriculture

THE TERROIR

Yes, the Domaine de Martinolles is in the Languedoc region;
Yes, the Mediterranean sea is only 50 kms away. However, here the ocean winds counteract the Mediterranean influence. The region benefits from a microclimate with plenty of sunshine and the right amount of rainfall.

Also, Domaine de Martinolles is protected from the hot sea winds because it is nestled behind the high Corbieres mountains.

In addition to this, the Pyrenees are close. The exceptional climate and geography combined with an altitude ranging between 200 and 280 metres contribute to making the white wines produced at Domaine de Martinolles really great ones and therefore the white grape varieties naturally play a dominant role in the vineyards.

The Domaine de Martinolles vineyards extend across a valley that is exposed to different climatic influences so we always take that into account when we plant our wine plants to make sure that we have the appropriate variety. On many of the chalk and clay slopes the mean yield does not exceed 50 hectolitres per hectare whe the wines ar planted at a density of 4400 plants per hectare.

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GRAPE VARIETIES

First and formost, the oldest grape variety in the tégion, Mauzac.
In 1349, the King's lieutenant in the Languedoc, Guillaume de Flavecourt, issued a decree prohibiting the introduction of anything other than white wine varieties in the Limoux region to make sure that the local wines were not spoilt by being mixed with imported varieties. Mauzac, is suited to the chalk and clay soils that give it its minerl notes and seamless taste. There is also no doubt that Chardonnay i well adapted to the Limoux area. Whatever Chardonnay is well adapted to the Limoux area.

Wathever Chardonnay grapes are used for, a light wine to drink for pleasure, a more complex wine to lay down to age or a sparkling wine, with the proper know-how the result can be marvellous.

Chardonnay gives the wine its rich, complex armas and body.

Chenin is a grape variety that originally came from the Loire valley and it contributes the lively note that is essential to make a really great sparkling wine.

The red grape varieties are not neglected nor forgotten either, especially since 2003 and the two decrees issued by INAO ( the national appellation)board concernig Limoux wines.

Pinot Noir is used in the Crémant de Limoux blend, it is the grape variety that fives the wine its length in the mouth and sustains the sparkling effect.

Mauzac

Chardonnay

Chenin

A new Red Limoux appellation has been created. A combination of the Atlantic grape varieties, Merlot and Cabernet and the Mediterranean varieties, Syrah and Grenache, gives the red wine its incomparably rich aroma.

But all this would not add up to much without the work of the people whose talent bring out the Terroir's true nature.

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REASONED AGRICUTRURE

Reasoned agriculture is above all a mindset.

The winegrower should contribute to protecting the landscape and biological diversity. From the very beginning we have always been concerned with protecting the environment. We are permanently seeking methods that have a positive impact and decrease the negative impact on the environment. On each of our plots we use farming methods that protect the soil and restrict the risks of pollution.

You can clearly see the wonderful job the team at the Domaine is doing, especially when the poppies bloom in the springtime and you see all the ladybirds in the vineyard.

Domaine de Martinolles ranks among the 10 leading properties in the Languedoc that qualify for the title ''reasoned farming".
The fruit of our labour, combined with controlled, restricted yields gives us a grape-harvest that is healthy and of top quality.

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