The Clos du Temple combines its exceptional terroir with an epic history marked by the cultivation of its soil. This began between the 1. and 2nd century AD, when the vineyards of Cabrières were born with the Roman presence. It was the time of the pax romana, a golden age for viticulture in Languedoc. Viticulture flourished for centuries around the Château de Cabrières, the remains of which still dominate the Clos. In 1224, the château donated the lands of today’s Clos to the Knights Templar, who gave the vineyard the name Le Temple.
Character & Nature
The terroir of the Clos du Temple derives its uniqueness from its geological formation. It was formed by the forces of the Earth 250 million years ago and was formed during the Hercynian advance that gave rise to the Massif Central and the Montagne Noire. The contact between two geological origins, schist and limestone, and the hilly relief is the cause of a complex network of groundwater cycles that favors an exceptional natural water supply to the vineyards and the emergence of a spring of very pure water. Its altitude of 240 meters, combined with its south/southwest exposure, contribute to the production of a perfectly balanced wine with a great aromatic freshness. The 8 hectares of the Clos du Temple vineyard are made up of 7 small plots that cling to the slope of the hill and are naturally closed off by the relief and vegetation.
The very old grape varieties Cinsault, Grenache noir and Syrah are the main grape varieties of the Cabrières designation. They are ideally adapted to the schist, filtering and well-exposed soils of
Clos du Temple
. Viognier gives this cuvée its originality and a pleasant aromatic complexity, and Mourvèdre gives the wine the finishing touch that ennobles it.
Gèrard Bertrand, winemaker and creator of today’s temple architecture, says of the place and wine: “Clos du Temple is universal and celebrates life, rites and traditions. As a link between the earthly and heavenly dimensions, it determines the rhythm of the seasons and the work of people. The temple is also the representation of man in his Trinity. This symbolism obliges us to perform at our best and to awaken the senses! Let’s celebrate life!”
Editor’s Pick:
With 17 wineries scattered in one of the most remarkable natural areas of the South of France,
Gérard Bertrand
is the ambassador of the great wines of Occitanie all over the world.
