IGP Côtes de Thau

Stretching across the 6 towns along the northeast border of the large, saltwater lake of Thau, the geographic zone of Côtes de Thau offers a natural and original blend of sea, lakes, beaches, and the resinous garrigue soil. It’s within this landscape, interlacing the low, open hills along the lake of Thau, that the wine-growers are established. This aquatic environment softens the harshness of the Mediterranean climate with balmy temperatures particularly favorable to the ripening of white grape varieties.  The wine-makers, attentive to their territory, develop practices that respect the biodiversity that surrounds them. Though Terret Blanc remains the historical grape variety, you’ll also find grape varieties from different French regions of strong aromatic potential and of quality, especially Chardonnay, Sauvignon, and Viognier. The rosés are aromatic, long in the mouth, and present an agreeable freshness. Their color varies according to the method from which they are made. They benefit from all of the technology and the expertise of the wine-makers. In terms of the red wines, the wine-makers have combined local grape varieties with grape varieties of several origins for a long time. About twenty wine-growers, in particular the four co-ops of the Thau Basin (Bassin de Thau) produce and market more than 50,000 hl of wine, of which almost 75% are white wines. Red wines and rosés equally comprise the remaining percentage of sales.

Grape varieties: Cabernet-Sauvignon, Carignan, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Pinot, Sauvignon, Syrah, Terret Blanc, Viognier.

Important numbers

Average yield: 65-70 hl/ha

http://www.paysdherault.fr/Pays_dHerault/FR-6-IGP_Cotes_de_Thau