Although a rather small Languedoc village, Aniane has a world-wide reputation as the home of Mas de Daumas-Gassac where owner Aimé Guibert challenged the traditional winse bureaucracy by making top quality wines outside the very restrictive Appellattion Controllée system – and then the locals saw off an attempt by a large multinational to buy up a significant chunk of the local vineyards in order to make some bland, branded wine.
Importantly the village lies in the heart of the Languedoc vineyards about 40km North East of Montpellier (34 Herault. Languedoc) Hence it makes an ideal focus for the substantial Aniane Wine Fair (Salon des Vins) on the weekend of 25-26 July 2009 – several dozen wine makers from Aniane and surrounding villages (including Daumas Gassac) will be attending, including one of my favourties – the Mas de la Serranne. where Isabelle & Jean-Pierre Venture make some excellent Coteaux du Languedoc AC wines blending traditional Languedoc with Rhône grape varietals which produce intense. but smooth, herby red wines.
For more info see Aniane Wine Fair
