Domaine Ledogar Emmenez-Moi 2022

Domaine Ledogar is a family estate located in Ferrals-les-Corbières, within the Aude department of France's Languedoc-Roussillon region. Brothers Xavier, Mathieu, and Benoît Ledogar represent the fourth generation of winemakers in their family, continuing a tradition that began when their great-grandfather founded a cooperative winery on the same land.

Xavier Ledogar began working the vineyards at age 12 and assumed full control of the estate in 1997, renaming it from Domaine Grand Lauze to Domaine Ledogar. One of his first decisions was to stop selling grapes to the local cooperative and instead produce estate-bottled wines. Mathieu joined in 2004, and the brothers quickly began converting the vineyards to organic and biodynamic practices. The estate achieved organic certification from Ecocert in 2006.

Today, Domaine Ledogar encompasses 22 hectares of vineyards spread across the Boutenac terroir near Carcassonne. The soils consist primarily of clay-limestone, red sandstone, and rolled pebbles. Some parcels contain centenarian vines, including the La Mariole plots planted between 1880 and 1910. The brothers farm using horses and donkeys for plowing and weed management, applying biodynamic preparations according to the lunar calendar and treating vines with herbal teas of nettle, comfrey, and horsetail.

In the cellar, wines ferment spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and receive no additives beyond minimal sulfites at bottling when necessary. Aging takes place in stainless steel tanks, concrete eggs, or neutral barrels depending on the cuvée. The portfolio includes varieties such as Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Maccabeu, and the rare Carignan Blanc.

Domaine Ledogar produces both AOC Corbières Boutenac wines and Vin de France bottlings. Their approach emphasizes digestibility and drinkability—wines that reflect Mediterranean terroir without heaviness. The estate has become a reference for natural wine from the Languedoc, distributed to restaurants and wine bars internationally.

Corbières is one of the most important and productive wine appellations in France's Languedoc-Roussillon region, located in southern France between Montpellier and the Spanish border. Established as an AOC in 1985, this rugged, windswept region covers approximately 13,500 hectares across 87 communes, making it one of the largest appellations in the Languedoc.

The Corbières wine region is characterized by diverse terroirs ranging from Mediterranean coastal plains to mountainous foothills reaching 400 meters elevation. The landscape features dramatic limestone plateaus, schist slopes, and clay-limestone soils interspersed with garrigue scrubland, olive groves, and ancient stone villages. The Mediterranean climate brings hot, dry summers moderated by the Tramontane wind, which helps preserve acidity and prevent disease pressure.

Corbières produces primarily red wines from traditional southern French grape varieties. The appellation requires blends incorporating at least two grape varieties, typically featuring Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Lledoner Pelut, and Cinsault. Many vineyards contain century-old Carignan vines that produce low yields and concentrated flavors. Small quantities of rosé and white wines are also produced.

The region has undergone significant quality improvements since the 1980s, with producers like Domaine de Fontsainte pioneering techniques such as carbonic maceration and whole cluster fermentation. Notable sub-zones include Boutenac, known as the "Golden Crescent," which received its own AOC status in 2005.

Corbières wines are renowned for their robust character, displaying dark fruit flavors, Mediterranean herbs, and mineral complexity. These food-friendly wines offer exceptional value, pairing perfectly with regional cuisine including cassoulet, grilled meats, and aged cheeses while showcasing the authentic terroir of southern France.