Vineyard of Millau

History

The vineyard of Millau date probably of the Roman epoch. Millau, Condatomagus under the Roman Empire, was a great production center of potteries Sigillée S. (archeological site of Graufesenque)

With the the Middle Ages, the vines are maintained to be used as drink and communion wine to the pilgrims. The local aristocracy wants to then have its production and the accesses of Millau are encépagés.

With the Revolution, the pieces are redistributed; they provide the wine of family consumption. In the Years 1870, the vineyard undergoes the attacks of the Phylloxéra and the Railroad. The cheap wine arrives by the train of the close Languedoc. Many pieces are given up, the others being replanted either out of type of vines come besides, gamay for example or in direct producing hybrids. Between 1914 and 1918, many pieces are also given up, for lack of arm to work them.

Paradoxically, it is the freezing of 1956 which will start the revival of the vineyard dying man. The producers who decide to replant are only motivated by the vine growing. The pieces are encapagées with type of vines of qualities, preserving the gamay, redécouvrant local type of vines and introducing Syrah. A cooperative wine cave is created and the wine becomes local wine of the throats and coasts of Millau . In 1994, it reaches the VDQS and shortens its name in coasts of Millau .

Geography and soil

The vineyard is established around Millau, about thirty km upstream and a score towards the downstream.

The Tarn dug a valley in the calcareous Causse. The vineyard is established in bottom of slope on falls Argilo-limestones in the east and sandstone of the Trias in the west. It is established on the northern slope, therefore in southern exposure, on not very rich grounds where water does not stagnate, with the shelter of the dominant winds, Vent of north and Vent of southerly wind. The sites are selected for their precocity: the vine close with orchards to cherry trees or almond trees.

Name and production

The vineyard produces 60% of red, fruity and tannic wines containing Syrah, Fer servadou, Gamay and Cabernet-sauvignon. The rosy , 30% of the production, result from syrah and gamay and give wines to the flavors of strawberry. The white wines are obtained with Mauzac and Chenin, giving fresh and floral wines and a hazel nut key.

The production represents 2000 hectolitres on about fifty hectares.

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