4- Audio cuvée – How winemakers age a Terrasses du Larzac wine – St Jean de Fos

In this new episode of our podcast 'Cuvée Sonore', we call in at Saint-Jean-de-Fos (postcode 34150), a village situated at the entrance to the Hérault Gorges, which are classed as a National Heritage Site. Both fashioned from the limestone, the Causses and the Gorges are the most visible aspects of this karstic landscape. Such geology leads to an essential yet complex movement of water resources.

To continue the exploration of the long process to create Terrasse du Larzac PDO wines, this episode shines the spotlight on the crucial role of vine roots in managing water resources. After the frenetic springtime period, the viticultural cycle slows, and in July there is even a slight pause. Then, as mid-August rapidly approaches, all thoughts turn to the harvest. The harvest period can last for up to three months. For winegrower Vincent Goumard (Mas Cal Demoura), harvests typically start with Syrah, and in general come to a close with the older Grenache vines. The onset of harvest is a critical moment in the calendar, and those who harvest the grapes are carefully trained to do so, playing a central role in this viticultural adventure. As he says, 'The beginning for me, in this most important stage, is explaining that it's not just about collecting grapes, it's about harvesting the fruit of an entire year's work".

Follow us closely as we explore the art of a winegrower, as every detail counts in this highly creative process.

Credits :
Thibaut Rodriguez, former Agri-environmental Project Manager, Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturelles d'Occitanie
Vincent Goumard, winegrower, Mas Cal Demoura, Jonquières

This podcast was directed by Alexandre Héraud, with support from his team at Écran Sonore, in particular Vincent Decque, editor.
The podcast was produced for the series Wine Routes, and can be found on our web application "Itinérances en Terrasses du Larzac" : https://visit.terrasses-du-larzac.com/ This web app was developed in partnership with Vinoways, a Montpellier-based start-up. It was financed with the support of Occitanie Region, and European LEADER programme funds administered by Pays Cœur d'Hérault