Vines & Biodiversity of the Terrasses du Larzac is the second in a series of podcasts to discover the AOP Terrasses du Larzac (Appellation d'Origine Protégée - Protected Designation of Origin or PDO).

 The AOP Terrasses du Larzac was born from the strength and determination of a collective of winegrowers believing in their terroir. The name "Terrasses du Larzac" appeared in the late 1990s. It clearly explains the appellation area as the vines are located in the foothills of the Larzac plateau, flourishing on the fluvial and geological terraces of the river Hérault. The terroir of the appellation is first and foremost characterised by its Mediterranean climate, which is tempered by the Larzac plateau.

The appellation brings together over a hundred winegrowers, 75% of which cultivate organically. The winegrowers of the Terrasses du Larzac appellation are deeply committed to the environment and to producing their wines by working with (and not against) nature, thus preserving local biodiversity as much as possible.

In this podcast of 4 episodes, you are guided by Thomas Michel, Environmental Education Officer from the association Demain la Terre ! (based in Gignac). He accompanies you on a tour of several emblematic sites within the Terrasses du Larzac appellation, such as Les Gorges de l'Hérault (the Hérault Gorges, a national heritage site), as well as those less known but just as illustrative of the area, such as the 'circular' Languedoc village of Puéchabon, a traditional village built in concentric circles. Thomas Michel helps you to interpret the landscape around you.  This particular sound route runs alongside the Hérault river, and leads you to the very beautiful source of the river Buèges, and also to Brissac, where we find the source of the river Avèze. Here, the local biodiversity is rich and abundant. We find it nestling in gorges and cliffs, along the rivers, in villages but also in the heart of the vineyards, between the grassy rows, the surrounding woodland, and nestling in the hollow of dry stone walls. Thomas Michel describes and puts a name to some of this exceptional, yet quite ordinary, biodiversity. The words of the AOP Terrasses du Larzac winegrowers bring each podcast to a close. We hear how by working in tandem with nature they get the best out of it. In addition, using their knowledge and experience, they continually strive to create a delicate equilibrium within the ecosystems that they cultivate.

Close your eyes and immerse yourself in both the words of the winegrowers and the sounds of nature here in Terrasses du Larzac.

«AOP Terrasses du Larzac: Nature is the initial draw, yet we stay for the people»

This podcast was directed by Alexandre Héraud, with support from his team at Écran Sonore, in particular Vincent Decque, editor.

The podcast was produced for the series Wine Routes, and can be found on our web application "Itinérances en Terrasses du Larzac" : https://visit.terrasses-du-larzac.com/ This web app was developed in partnership with Vinoways, a Montpellier-based start-up. It was financed with the support of Occitanie Region, and European LEADER programme funds administered by Pays Cœur d'Hérault (destination Vineyards and Discoveries "Languedoc Heart of Hérault").

Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.