Muscat Sec, Pays d'Oc, Domaine de Barroubio 2023

This domaine gets its name from its location in the remote hamlet of Barroubio, which borders the Haut-Languedoc national park and enjoys an array of wild bird species, such as bluebirds, alpine swifts, and the increasingly rare Bonelli’s eagle. The 60-hectare estate has been tended by the Miquel family since the 15th century.

Situated in the département of Hérault in the middle of the Languedoc region, the domaine is not far from the picturesque village of St. Jean de Minervois, famed for its lusciously sweet wines made using the muscat à petits grains grape. Indeed, the majority of Domaine de Barroubio’s 27 hectares of vineyards are dedicated to this variety, with the remainder comprising carignan, syrah and grenache for the domaine’s red and rosé wines. The older muscat vines produce smaller, more concentrated grapes for producing the sweet style, whereas the younger vines are used to make the estate’s dry muscat, said by many to be the best in the Languedoc.

The terroir here is key to the excellent quality levels: the soils stand out as an island of blindingly white limestone in a landscape that is otherwise dominated by various shades of grey. In the glare of the Mediterranean sunshine (enhanced by the vineyard’s south-facing exposure), the brilliance of the soils is almost painful to the eye, but for the muscat grape this well-drained limestone is perfect, adding a complexity to the grapes that is rarely found elsewhere.

The vineyards are on a plateau which reaches an altitude of 300 metres, making the temperature here slightly cooler. This allows for a longer ripening time, retaining the grapes’ acidity and enhancing their delicate aromas.

Current generation and owner Raymond Miquel has used his passion for the family business to build a fine reputation for Domaine de Barroubio’s muscat. The family balances its long tradition with modern techniques, such as cool fermentation and synthetic cork closures.