Boutenac
- Boutenac
- As seen from the château, home of the Cru Corbières
The small terroir of Boutenac is perhaps not typical of the Corbières in terms of landscape, but it has an important role to play in local wine-making. The low wooded hills dotted with tall parasol pines, their gravelly slopes exposed to the warm Midi sun, are both attractive to look at and ideal for growing vines — here, Carignan vines, some of them a century old, give of their best.
In the village of Boutenac itself, the imposing Château de Boutenac, headquarters of the Cru Corbières, commands a panoramic view over the vineyards. In and around Boutenac and Gasparets, you will find many of the aristocrats of Corbières wine. It is this terroir, granted its own "mini-appelation" of Corbières-Boutenac in 2005, which first began to convince people that the Corbières could produce great wines — although producers elsewhere in the region have been quick to follow suit. Certainly, in our wine-tasting expeditions we have been drawn here again and again. Between tastings there are other diversions:
In the hamlet of Gasparets near Boutenac, the local wine co-op had the bright idea of extending the winery to include a museum of flora and fauna. In a hall above the wine cellar itself is a large collection of stuffed birds and animals ... and glass cases contaning an impressive array of literally thousands of insects!
- Villerouge la Cremade
- The chapel in autumn
Villerouge-la-Crémade, a hamlet on the road between Ferrals and Thézan, is dominated by the ruins of castle on a rocky outcrop, from which you can enjoy an impressive view over the surrounding countryside with its serried ranks of vines. Immediately below, you will spot a tiny chapel, perched awkwardly on a small mound which is such a snug fit that the walls have had to be buttressed to prevent the whole edifice from collapsing. The church dates to the 9th century — there is no apparent explanation for its odd situation, except that it was possibly built on the site of some earlier place of worship. Inside are the fragmentary remains of wall paintings dating to the early 12th century.
Saint-Laurent de la Cabrerisse is distinguished by a church with some striking Visigothic carvings in the porch.
At Montseret you will find one of the major local honey producers. The honey here is expensive, but richly flavoured with rosemary, thyme, and lavender — a good souvenir to remind you of the scents and the summer heat of the Midi.
