There
are three main subsoil types in Lirac :
-
Terraced hillsides from the Villafranchian Period (1.9 - 1.8 million
years old) with the vast plateau of Vallongue shared between Lirac
and Tavel; the eastern slopes of this plateau in an area called
Bois de Clary, the plateau of Saint Geniès de Comolas south
of the village and the plateau of Les Baumes to the south-east of
the village of Saint Laurent des Arbres.
Pebble filled terraces are particularly adapted to wine growing,
producing deep and complex wines.
-
The soft slopes and lime rubble hillsides, to the south of the cliffs
in Saint Génies, are constituted of both Villafranchian round
pebbles and limestone fallen rocks from the older Urgonian Period
(127 to 125 million years old) on a substrate of sand and clay from
the Astian period (3 to 2 million years old).
-
Astian sands in the subsoil of Saint Laurent and Lirac.
A
point of interest: the Rhône, before its current riverbed, around
2 million years ago, followed another course which rushed towards
Nîmes from what is now the village of Saint Geniès de
Comolas, and poured into the sea around Montpellier. Substantial traces
of this former bed are quite visible today, like the Villafranchian
round pebbled terraces of Saint Genies de Comolas, Saint Laurent des
Arbres, Lirac, Tavel, and further south, Domazan.
Climate
The
climate of Lirac is shared by all the lands of Lirac, Saint Laurent
des Arbres, Saint Génies de Comolas and Roquemaure. It is a
Mediterrannean climate with strong Mistral wind which both cleans
and moderates temperatures, summers and winters alike.
Generally
speaking, sunlight averages over 3000 hours a year with average temperatures
ranging from 22° Celsius in summer, and 7.3° in winter. Rain
averages 201 mm in summer and 503 mm the rest of the year. The Mistral
wind blows around 158 days per year, including 100 days when it can
blow at 60 kph or more.
Grape
variety
The
grape varieties authorized in Lirac are :
-
Red varieties : Black Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault,
and Carignan at 10% max.
- White varieties : white or grey Grenache, white, grey and
pink Clairette, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Viognier, Picpoul, white
Ugni.
The
Lirac appellation lands of Domaine de la Mordorée are mainly
located :
on the plateau of Lirac and Tavel, Les Baumes, as well as on the rather
original parcel called Les Chataîgniers (chestnut trees) due
to the presence of this species, a unique phenomenon for miles around.
The
area benefits from a rather cool microclimate, its soils are rich
in red silica as well as red sandstone, which is extremely rare in
this region. The grape varieties of these lands produce deep and fresh
wines.
The
grape varieties planted in the Domaine are :
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre for reds ; and white Grenache,
Viognier, Roussane, Marsanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul for
whites.
Plot of more than 10 hectares AOC Lirac called Lirac & Tavel Plateau
or La Plaine
30
cm subsoil cross-section
These
are classic terraces from the Villafranchian period, with a lot of
large pebbles.
This
parcel is planted with Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache for black
grapes ; and white Grenache, Viognier, Roussane, Marsanne, Picpoul,
white Clairette and Bourboulenc for whites. The vines are about 15
years old, average; the grapes are used to make red “Reine des
Bois” and white “Reine des Bois”.
This
parcel is quite dry and can only withstand small yields.
The
wines produced are deep, both powerful and round.
Plot of AOC Lirac in an area called Les Baumes
30
cm subsoil cross-section
This
is an old Grenache vineyard near Saint Laurent des Arbres, on a terrace
from the Villafranchian period, whose compostion is remarkable: pebbles
are rather small and the soil is rich in stable humus.
The vegetation seen on the pictures is natural, proving the good health
of our best Lirac parcel. For that reason, its grapes constitute a
substantial contribution to our Reine des Bois vintages.
2006
will be a year of major investment : the whole vine traing will
be renovated.
This
parcel produces very fine and delicate wines, particularly suitable
for ageing.
Plot in AOC Lirac in an area called « les Châtaigniers »
or « La Montagne »
30
cm subsoil cross-section
This
is a unique plot of land in Lirac, with chestnut trees, a few specimens
of which survived. These trees were planted by inhabitants of Lirac
whence fleeing XVIth century wars of religion.
These
are the only chestnut trees to be found within a 20 mile radius.
This
parcel was planted with black Grenache and Mourvèdre in 1990.
It is surrounded with woods and the climate is rather cooler than
other places. Maturity comes late, generally at a time where wine
harvests are over elsewhere.
The
wines produced have rich aromas, and are elegant and quite fresh.
They are essential for our Reine des Bois cuvees.
Lands
& subsoils, climates, grape varieties in Tavel
and Domaine de la Mordoree for this appellation
There
are three main soil types in the lands of Tavel :... (more)
