Wines

Petit Bonheur Rouge - AOP St Chinian

Chateau Fonsalade Rouge - AOP St Chinian                                                 

 

Located in the northeast corner of the Saint-Chinian appellation is Château Fonsalade, a property of the Barbe family.

The name comes from the Occitan word “Font Salat”, which means “salted fountain”, and refers to a source of naturally salted which gushes from the soil. This specific water offers advantages and antiseptic properties which are essential to their integrated agriculture, in the respect for the environment.

Château Fonsalade represents, with its 25 hectares, a real patchwork of soils with 6 different kinds of land, going from argilo-calcareous, marls and schist. Nine grape varieties are combined on this patchwork to best develop their individual potential. All of this, as well as the combination of different altitudes and an exceptional climate, allow them to obtain a range of complex and very different wines, from the fruity and lighter Petit Bonheur range to the rich and powerful Chateau Fondalade Rouge that we have selected.

 

Saint Chinian

Vineyards have been cultivated in the Saint Chinian region since the Romans established themselves along the Via Domitia between Gaul and Hispania.

The Saint-Chinian AOC, covering 3.100 Ha, is situated at the foot of the Massif Central North of Beziers, between Minervois to the west and Faugères to the east. It is exposed towards the Mediterranean Sea whose evening sea breeze combined with the cooler nights of rather elevated vineyards (between 100 and 400 meters), slows the maturation process leading to more complex wines.

There is also a distinct contrast in wine styles: the northern schist produces a fresh and finer- grained, readily accessible red, while the southern clay and limestone result in a fuller, more powerful wine that benefits from a touch of bottle age.

 

Grape varieties

Red: Grenache, Syrah and/or Mourvèdre (minimum 70%), Carignan, Cinsault (maximum 30%)

White: Grenache Blanc (minimum 30%), Marsanne, Roussanne, Rolle (Vermentino).

Additionally, Clairette, Viognier, Bourboulenc, Macabeo, Carignan Blanc permitted to a maximum 10%