Lands of wines | Pierre Giresse

The discovery of vineyards is a very current theme in so-called non-touristic circuits. In several regions of France, it is often associated with the parallel discovery of the soils and subsoils that support them. Here, the Catalan Country offers a very contrasting palette of geological terrains. They are the result of a long and tumultuous geological history that has seen two mountain ranges succeed each other. This palette allows each winemaker to compose their wine under sometimes exceptional conditions. Each one has their own idea about the relationship between the taste of wine and the vineyard soil, and the secrets are well kept. The reliefs, mineralities, the sun and wind exposures of the slopes have been known since ancient times, knowledge and skills have been passed down from generation to generation, allowing survival through various hazards, even economic crises. Starting from Perpignan, Pierre Giresse offers an itinerary for exploring Catalan soils: it goes from the torrential stones of Rivesaltes to the limestones of Vingrau, following the calcareous and schistose valleys of Verdouble and Maury, then the granitic terrains of the upper Agly valley. The passage through the Col de la Bataille provides access to the Têt valley, the siliceous foothills of Aspre, and finally the sandy-clayey terrains of the Tech valley. The excursion ends with a visit to the schistose and sandy slopes of the Côte Vermeille and the gravelly alluvium of the lower Têt valley.