| |
 |
Address |
 |
 |
| |
BARONNIE DE COUSSERGUES
|
| |
|
The Company Today |
|
|
| |
|
The
Domaines
The two estates together include some 1000 hectares, of which 310 are given over to wines, 200 to fields and 500 to woods. This great family vineyard, cultivated with passion, offers a quite remarkable range of grape varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Viognier, Muscat petits grains, Marsanne, Roussane, Vermentino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot, Mourvedre, Grenache.
In the wine cellars of the Barony, each grape variety is converted into wine separately.
The combination of traditions and the most advanced techniques, coupled with the wine grower's know-how mean that the wines achieve their full expression.
The Means
Thanks to recent investments, the wine cellars now have modern, high-performance grape harvestreception units and a full-time oenologist on the estate.
The variety of equipment used (decanting unit, refrigeration unit, tubular grape harvest exchanger, "Aromatiks" rotary stainless steel tanks, pneumatic press) means that each harvest batch is given optimal treatment.
The importance given to respecting the fruit, to controlling the oenological process, but also to the creative act which is the ultimate stage in blending the wine, allows producing full and harmonious wines.
The Production
The white and rosé wines are bottled within 6 months after the grape harvest. They are then stored in a wine cellar at a controlled temperature (15°C). The red wines are bottled in the spring following the grape harvest. One part is however left to mature for 8 to 12 months in oak barrels.
All our wines are regularly analysed and tasted.
The following products are produced at the Barony:
- blended wines which make up the "Baronnie de Coussergues" range in all three colours: white, red and rosé.
- single grape variety wines (Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Viognier,
Muscat, Merlot, Cabernet, Sauvignon, Pinot).
- wines matured in oak casks which are our premium wines: Cuvée Royale vintages in white and red, Chardonnay oak barrel.
Today, 1.5 million bottles from the estates of Coussergues and Montmarin are sold in France and abroad (EC, USA, Asia, etc.) representing a turnover of 3 million Euros.
Numerous medals (Concours Général Agricole de Paris, Guide Hachette, The Robert Parker Wine Advocate) bear witness to the quality of the products.
The estates are run as a GFA (agricultural property grouping), shares in which are divided among the family.
They are run by Philippe and Arnould de Bertier, sons of Paule, the last of the Sarrets.
With five centuries of experience behind them, they are determined to retain the family character of the Barony, whilst playing a full part in the wine growing of the Languedoc region which is currently undergoing considerable change.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Key Dates of the
Company's History |
|
|
| |
|
1321 |
Although the name is of Catalan origin, the Sarret family from father to son for 600 years since Petrus Sarret, consul of the nobles in Pouget in 1321, is found 6 leagues from Montpellier.
|
1446 |
In 1446, Pierre V Sarret is cultivating fields on the royal property of Coussergues, brought as dowry by his wife.
|
1494 |
His son, Pierre Raymond, born in 1448, wages war throughout France under the reign of Louis XI. Later on, he receives assignments from King Charles VIII in the Kingdom of Naples.
In 1494, King Charles VIII disposed of royal property in France, including Coussergues, and sold it to pay off his army's expenses.
Pierre Raymond de Sarret, aware of the plan, acquired Coussergues for 440 pounds, cash.
The Sarret family thus succeeded the King in the possession of feudal rights to this large 1500 hectare estate, but the use of the cultivated lands remained in the hands of the farmers.
Over a period of three centuries, the Sarret family bought them back, bit by bit, devoting themselves to the service of the King, the enhancement of the estate and to their extensive family.
They will carry on this major work for years, mastering the Libron and allowing the plain to be cultivated.
|
1789 |
When the Revolution breaks out, the Sarret brothers emigrate and Coussergues is sequestrated for 20 years.
When peace is restored, the property is then managed by Louis de Sarret, an outstanding personality appointed as honorary Admiral and "Pair de France" by the Restoration.
Thanks to him, Coussergues is ready for the great wine-making adventure. Although vineyards have always been present, they were strictly restricted to hillsides.
Overrunning the plains, its farming becomes more rational, announcing the first evidence of modern agriculture.
Wine was previously distilled and alcohol shipped through the "Canal du Midi".
|
1870 |
Around 1850, the new coming railway facilities announce an era of outstanding prosperity.
A dam on the Libron, built upstream from Coussergues by Pierre de Sarret to flood the vineyards, allows the Domaine to partially escape from the phylloxera epidemic in 1870.
Currently, the restored dam is used again to irrigate the plains in the event of periods of draught.
|
1930 |
In 1930, an interminable period of over-production in wine commenced, interrupted by the shortages of the War and generating a serious financial crisis which was to last for sixty years. Recovery was achieved during the nineties after uprooting vinyards, in return for indemnity payments and gradual replacement (to last until the year 2000) of mediocre, high volume production grape varieties by low volume, quality varieties.
|
1964 |
1964 Coussergues can pride itself on having set the example. Thus, in 1964 the first Merlot grape vines, only recently authorised in Languedoc were planted in Montmarin.
|
|
|
| |
 |
Location |
|
|
| |
Initially a Roman Villa located along the Domitian Way, the Barony of Coussergues, former Royal Seigniory comprising the |
estates of Coussergues and Montmarin, has been the property of the Sarret family for sixteen generations (1495).
It is situated about six miles to the east of Beziers (Languedoc), in the Liberon valley whose slopes overlook the Mediterranean Sea.
|
|
Top of page 
|
|
