Languedoc wine festivals in October not to be missed

On October 13 and 14 don’t miss the traditional wine festivals. The “Fete des Vendanges”, in the lovely village of Ouveillan, in the Aude (11) is a week end of festivities displaying activities ranging from the flea market to car boot sale, parade, house clearout sales, etc. The event recreates past tradition and skills that still live on. The original fest was to honour and thank God for the blessed harvest. Every year since, people gather and celebrate the end of the harvest season. A great dinner is offered to labourers, who originally sang in sign of triumph.
There are lots of small producers in the Languedoc region. In the towns of Minervois, Limoux and Fitou, still in the Aude, we also grow and harvest wine grapes to produce the AOC wines of the same names. The Minervois is a red wine, produced from Carignan (40% of the blend), Grenache, Lladoner Pelut, Mourvedre and Syrah grapes. Limoux wine is produced under four AOC designations, which are: Blanquette de Limoux, Blanquette méthode ancestrale, Crémant de Limoux and Limoux. You can visit the vineyards and taste the wines. It is definitely convivial and has a Mediterranean atmosphere. The Perpignan wine festival takes place on October 16th, 17th and 18th. There again, you can taste local wines and celebrate with workers and visitors.