Driving around the Languedoc region you will pass many wine Caves - it is very normal to taste before you buy and if indeed you do not buy no one is upset - it’s very relaxed, so it is a must to drop in and try the local wine as you drive past and buy local produce rather than just at the supermarket! There are many Caves to visit, both cheaper and more expensive.

 

Embres et Castelmaure 

The villas sit on a former vineyard that produced some of the wine that has been sold in the cave!

This Cave is described as one of the first in the area (although much smaller than many) to understand what changes needed to be made to move forwards into the, perhaps inevitably and certainly very competitive, quality wine arena. They updated winemaking and ageing techniques and equipment, and opened a brand new cellar in 2007. There is a good selection to try. Their Pompadour and Grande Cuvee are very good and make sure to try the renowned No.3 (you might only buy for special occasions). They sell amazing value wine boxes which we often buy at the start of our holiday as good everyday drinking! For more info look at their poetic website www.castelmaure.com

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Muscat de Rivesaltes

This is a sweet wine that the French drink very chilled as an aperitif – you can buy this from the Cave at the village of Cascastel – 10 minutes away.

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Terra Vinea

Wine tour and tasting - Cellars containing hundreds of oak barrels, a small underground lake, a sound and light show, the reconstruction of a former gypsum quarry and a Gallo-Roman villa. The tour is followed by a tasting of the best wines to be found in the Rocbère de Peyriac sur Mer, Portel and Sigean cellars. You can purchase the wines you have tasted and their full range in their shop. See their website here - www.terra-vinea.com

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There are many more Caves to visit, see more here: www.frenchcataloniawine.blogspot.com

It is definitely worth while visiting  Château l’Hospitalet on La Clape on the way to Narbonne Plage. This is the home to the renowned Gerard Bertrand wines and also a venue for exclusive jazz concerts. See more about the vineyard here: www.chateau-hospitalet.com