The Languedoc 'Connoisseur Wine Cruise' with La Tortue
If you have a good knowledge of wine and seriously wish to know more, then become a Connoisseur of Languedoc wines by gaining an in-depth knowledge and experience of the wines of the 'New World of France' - the Languedoc, with the guidance of Master of Wine, Juliet Bruce Jones, accompanied by the renowned hospitality of your gourmet Chef and Captain, Peter Shaw.
The Culinary Experience on the Canal du Midi
You will be thrilled with their enthusiasm and knowledge as they take you on this enchanted voyage of discovery. You will also have the opportunity to chat with many winemakers, and, back on board, Peter will talk you through every wine he serves and why he serves it with a particular course of the meal.
The Connoisseur Wine Cruise is based on the famous La Tortue luxury barge holiday which has been a feature of the Canal du Midi for over 7 years.
But in addition we will take you on an exploration of the Languedoc vineyards and their wonderful wines as you glide along the Canal du Midi, through the dreaming wine regions of Minervois, Corbières, and Côteaux du Languedoc.
You will have the opportunity to taste over 50 wines during your week, coming from every corner of the Languedoc.
As well as enjoying wines from top producers such as Mas de Daumas Gassac - the 'Lafite of the Languedoc' - you will also try wines from up-and-coming producers who are the stars of the future.
Your dining experiences on board La Tortue will include the finest local produce blended in the innovative dishes of Peter Shaw.
While Juliet explains the origin and making of each wine, Peter's expertise in selecting the region's wines to complement each meal - plus his irresistible anecdotes - will let you develop your 'food-wine matching' skills from delicious practice rather than theory!
Peter's own passion for cheese and wine mirrors that of Rabelais, the famous Roman Catholic monk, who somewhat irreligiously referred to the combination of cheese, wine and bread, as the 'Holy Trinity'.
The Languedoc... a realm of history and enchantment
The Languedoc is a region that stretches from the Pyrenees to the Rhone river, and from the foothills of the Cevennes to the Mediterranean sea.
Here the extraordinary 'Cathars' flourished 900 years ago, their skeleton fortresses still looming over the valleys.
Vines were introduced to the region by the Greeks and viticulture was further developed by the Romans who 'exported' the wine to Italy.
From sea level to an altitude of 1800 feet, the Languedoc has a rich diversity of 'noblesse de terroir' (a wonderful French phrase combining the goodness of soil, elevation, micro-climate and the quiet old customs of local tradition), where vines grow in ideal conditions.
It is the largest area under vines in the world and produces a third of France's wine.
"Genius is that resolution which turns our universal needs to individual glory"
(Francis Hardie)
Until recently, no wine from the Languedoc merited a mention as its reputation was for quantity rather than quality. But in the last 25 years there has been a revolution in the Languedoc as innovative wine growers have realised the tremendous potential of this beautiful region. They have ripped up poor grape varieties and replaced them with high quality, low yielding vines and introduced modern winemaking techniques.
Quality has dramatically improved and today the Languedoc produces world class, characterful wines and is often described as the 'New World of France'.
"In bringing modern viticulture and wine making techniques to the region, French experts discovered what some local producers had known all along: that the Languedoc had the weather and the soil to produce great wines."
- Frank Prial, N.Y. Times, 1998.
Juliet Bruce Jones
Juliet Bruce Jones is a Master of Wine, obtaining this elite and highest accolade in the world of wine from the Institute of Masters of Wine in 1998 and has over 15 years experience of working with wine. Around the globe there are only 250 individuals who have passed the Institute's stringent examinations of knowledge and taste.
To date, 51 of these are women.
As an educator, Juliet has enthused countless wine lovers, both in the UK and in New Jersey, USA, where she ran a wine school. She has worked a vintage for Cakebread Cellars in Napa and was a buyer and consultant for the UK's prestigious Wine Society.
Since 2004 she has lived and worked in the Languedoc, exporting top quality Domaine wines to the UK and sharing her passion for Languedoc wines with visitors to the region.
Juliet will be guiding you through all the vineyard tastings on the Connoisseur Cruise.
Peter Shaw
Peter Shaw, the owner of La Tortue and your resident Chef has a wealth of experience of cooking in the U.K. Switzerland and France and, although his style is eclectic, he loves to put a modern twist on traditional Mediterranean dishes.
He has an enormous knowledge of Languedoc wines and the great cheeses of France and is - all his guests agree - a superbly entertaining expert in matching wine to his dishes.
Your Cruise Experience
The Cruises run from Carcassonne to Béziers or Béziers to Carcassonne.
The Itinerary given here is for Carcassonne to Béziers.
Day 1
At 4:00 pm (or thereabouts) your guide will be waiting to greet you at the pre-arranged pick-up point, which can be Carcassonne airport, train station, car rental agency or hotel. You will then be taken directly to La Tortue in the air-conditioned minibus.
During a champagne reception, we cruise from Trèbes to the viaduct designed by Vauban which crosses the River Orbiel. As you cruise, Juliet will give a first tasting of the classic Languedoc wines as well as an introduction to the region and some of the more arcane and lesser known skills of wine tasting!
You will also receive your Tasting Notes - an illustrated Diary of the Cruise where, if you wish, you can record your personal tasting 'experiences' as the week goes by.
Dinner that evening is your first meal onboard - and Peter will prepare a gastronomic delight complemented by three different wines.
Day 2
The morning starts with a chance to see the sights at La Cité - fairy-tale Carcassonne
Before your first tasting at Château Pennautier. This grand château was built during the reign of Louis XIII and the wines are equally impressive. Cabardès vineyards are influenced by breezes from both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
Consequently, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and franc are planted as well as Languedoc varieties.
The wines have a charm all of their own and Pennautier is the leading producer in the appellation.
Back on board and a sumptuous lunch of salads, tarts and cheeses, accompanied by Peter's selection of 'matching' wines.
Then a relaxing cruise through one of the most magnificent tree-lined stretches of the Canal, where interlinked branches form a superb, green canopy, known as the "green cathedral".
Before dinner, Juliet will guide you through a 'vertical' tasting of 5 vintages of Domaine Jean-Michel Alquier. This famous estate is from the dynamic Faugères appellation where the vines have sent their roots deep into the schist soils giving the wines a unique minerally flavour.
Jean-Michel's wines are highly sought after and this is a rare opportunity to chart the evolution of these extraordinary wines.
Your delicious four-course dinner this evening will include a white, a red and a Muscat wine - the latter a speciality of the region celebrated for its heady aroma.
Day 3
We cruise through four sets of locks to the great lock at Aguile, home of an eccentric and friendly lock-keeper who makes amusing sculptures (some a bit naughty) from tree trunks and branches.
From here you will be transferred to a tasting at Château Saint Jacques d'Albas, a stunning Minervois estate which has recently been transformed and is fast becoming known for the quality of its wines as well as the beauty of its surroundings.
St Jacques was founded in or before the Roman era and later featured a priory on the St Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage route. In January 2001, when the current British owners took over, a plan was implemented to invest in and rehabilitate the vineyards in order to give expression to the "terroir" in the wine. Part of the plan included a sharp reduction in vine yields from that practiced under the previous Co-operative contract and a replanting programme to higher grade red grape varieties.
Their 2003 Minervois is a blend of Syrah, Carignan and Grenache with plenty of extract and richness. As you would expect from this vintage the acidity is a little low but it has a grippy structure, good backbone and an attractive poise on the palate.
Later we arrive at Château Bassanel whose vineyards border the canal.
The landscape of Bassanel area is a succession of rock cut out like lace, crowned with pines and scattered with small valleys and hills on which cling the vines.
The soil here is characterised by a succession of limestone, and marl and clay benches. Most of the vines at Château Bassanel are between 15 and 20 years old with the Carignan vines being more than 40 years.
It is a mere 2 minute walk to the château's elegant courtyard where will taste through its fine range of Minervois wines which are richly concentrated but always a delight to drink.
One such is Les Hauts de Bassanel AOC Minervois. This is the achievement of a rigorous selection of the best parcels, from their oldest vineyards, located on the calcareous and very stony hillsides alongside the garrigue. It has been traditionally vinified, then matured in new oak. The wine is deeply concentrated and has flavours of red fruit, liquorice and smoke with silky smooth ripe tannins..
Enjoy another delicious dinner and wonderful wines on deck under the canopy of the 'platanes' trees, planted by Napoleon.
Day 4
An early morning start to catch the best of Olonzac market before visiting picturesque and breathtaking Minerve, perched on the cliffs of the Cesse valley. Not only did it give its name to the local Minervois wines, it was once a Cathar stronghold, overthrown by Simon de Montfort in the 13th century. In fact the history of Minerve goes back to Neolithic times and the altar in the church dates back to 456 AD.
You will have time to walk around the village, visit the museums, taste the renowned Muscat of St Jean de Minervois and perhaps do a little gift shopping.
On our way back to the boat we will stop at Domaine La Combe Blanche, a leading estate in La Livinière, a village where the surrounding vineyards produce the best wines in the Minervois and have been awarded their own appellation. As Juliet will show you, the wines from this innovative estate include the traditional - their classically rich yet elegant Minervois La Livinière, and the unusual - an interesting red wine made from the Spanish Tempranillo grape. Not to mention a Pinot Noir.
Guy Vanlancker is one of the most innovative and quality-minded producers in the Languedoc. He produces a range of Vins de Pays, Minervois and Minervois La Livinière wines. The "Tradition" Minervois has intoxicating scents of red fruits, violets and herby garrigue followed by flavours of strawberries, plums, redcurrant and liquorice.
Day 5
Peter takes you to Narbonne, the ancient capital of Roman Gaul, where he will guide you through the outstanding covered food market. Choose your dinner from a variety of shellfish, home made pâtés and charcuterie, and freshly caught fish.
You will have a chance to visit the Cathedral and the Horreum (the remains of a Roman underground market).
Then it's into the hills above the Mediterranean, white limestone ramparts above the blue and silent sea, to visit Domaine Pech-Redon, a spectacularly situated estate in the heart of the craggy La Clape massif which separates Narbonne from the Mediterranean and was once an island.
Situated on the coast in the west of the Languedoc region, La Clape with its chalky soil benefits from warm summers with low rainfall and cooling sea breezes.
Here Christophe Bousquet, a man in love with the soils of La Clape, makes some of the Languedoc's best wines, entirely from organically grown grapes.
One could believe that each one of his bottles brings a little of these hillsides to you.
Some of La Clape's delicate white wine is made from Bourboulenc, which is a rare and ancient vine thought to have its origins in Greece. The reds of this region are some of the best in Languedoc, reflecting the craggy terroir of this dramatic region. Richly concentrated with smoky wild fruit flavours and throwing out a hint of herbiness from the 'garrigue'.
The afternoon cruise through Le Somail, with its water front 17th century chapel and round stone ice house, and on to La Croisade, which was a stopping point for the crusaders in the 12th century.
Your early evening tasting today will be at Domaine Les Eminades, one of the rising stars in the Languedoc. Patricia and Luc Bettoni's first vintage was in 2002 and he has firmly established his domaine as one of the best in St Chinian with superbly situated vineyards, including some 100 year old Carignan. Their estate consists of 10.5 hectares spread in plots in Cebazan and Villespassans, a village near by. The vineyards are at altitudes between 150 m and 270 m, providing cool night time temperatures that are excellent for preserving acidity and primary fruit aromas.
The estate is farmed organically with respect to nature. Most of the vineyard is planted 'gobelet' (bush vines) and worked by a single person. As such, Luc is often caring for the vines alone in his beautiful landscape.
Day 6
A short cruise takes us to a 17th century building that is now a restaurant called the "Pourquoi Pas" (in English … 'Why not'). And .. why not? It's a beautiful spot with views of vineyards and the countryside around.
From here you will be taken to the Oppidum d'Enserune, a pre-Roman hillside site occupied from 600 BC to 100 AD, and supposedly where the Greeks first planted vines in this region.
Our pre-lunch tasting today is at Domaine Perdiguier, a 600 year old estate with an impressive château now owned by the Ferracci family whose wines illustrate the new face of Languedoc wines.
Their excellent range of wines are all Vin de Pays and are made from both traditional Languedoc varieties such as Syrah, as well as 'newcomers', Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and, again, that touch of Pinot Noir.
For instance, Cuvée d'en Auger, Vin de Pays des Coteaux d'Ensérune is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, a Bordeaux varieties and an exciting departure from the mandatory grape varieties required under AOC regulations - a nod to the 'Super Tuscans'. It has a superb nose: complex liquorice and spice notes with some southern herbal character and a toasty edge. The palate is rich and spicy, has good balance and is savoury in style with good density.
The cruise this afternoon takes us through the Roman village of Poilhes, from where we continue to the enchanting setting of Regismont le Haut. The pretty bridge and historic buildings create a perfect setting for your last evening on board.
Tonight you will have an onboard tasting of wines which Juliet has selected as the rising stars of the Languedoc. These wines are little known outside the region but are destined to be the top estates of the future.
The "last evening" dinner will astonish you, with Peter's combination of foods and wines of the region - of which you have become a Connoisseur!
Day 7
If travel schedules allow, we will cruise to Colombiers, a pretty French village just outside Béziers. From here we say our goodbyes between 9:00 am and 10:00 am and you will be taken to Béziers, Narbonne or Carcassonne for your onward journey.
Become a Connoisseur of the Languedoc wines … and treat yourself to the experience of a lifetime. Please contact us for Cruises starting in October 2006 and through 2007 and 2008.
Prices
For prices, please see the price list.