List of products by brand CHATEAU DE NOUVELLES

Based in Tuchan, in the Aude, Château de Nouvelles farms 75 hectares under certified organic agriculture across two contrasting terroirs: clay-limestone at 150 metres and blue schist at 250 metres altitude. Founded in 1834 by the Daurat-Fort family and directed since 2021 by Jean-Rémy Daurat, this is one of the Languedoc-Roussillon's most historically rooted estates, with yields held to 32 hl/ha. Carignan, Grenache noir and Syrah form the backbone of the reds, with two Muscats completing the range. At Halles Quercamps, we selected this estate for the integrity running through every bottle: organically farmed, with nearly two centuries of family continuity behind it. For those seeking Fitou at its most authentic, this is a benchmark.

At the heart of the Tuchan zone in the Aude, Château de Nouvelles represents close to two centuries of unbroken family viticulture on one of the most characterful appellations in the Languedoc-Roussillon. Its 75 hectares, farmed entirely under organic certification, spread across two distinct terroirs that give the estate its singular depth and range.

A history that predates modern viticulture

The story of Château de Nouvelles reaches well beyond the founding of the estate as we know it today. The site was originally a Gallo-Roman villa, later a medieval stronghold, and in the fourteenth century it formed part of the holdings of Pope Benedict XII — a reminder that this corner of the Aude has attracted serious attention for a very long time. The Daurat-Fort family took ownership in 1834, and the estate has remained in their hands ever since. Since 2021, Jean-Rémy Daurat has assumed direction, bringing fresh momentum to a property that was already firmly established as a reference in the appellation. That kind of continuity — nearly two centuries under a single family — is genuinely rare in any wine region, and it shows in the coherence of the estate's approach.

Two terroirs, one coherent vision

The 75 hectares divide naturally into two distinct soil types, each contributing something different to the wines. Roughly two thirds of the vineyard sits on argilo-calcaire (clay-limestone) at around 150 metres altitude, on south-facing slopes that capture the full force of the Mediterranean sun. The remaining third rises to 250 metres on schistes bleus — blue schist — the ancient metamorphic rock that is the hallmark of the finest Fitou terroirs. These steep, sun-drenched hillsides in the valley of Tuchan impose natural stress on the vines, concentrating flavour and keeping yields honest. At 32 hl/ha, production is restrained by the standards of the Languedoc, and it shows in the structure and definition of the wines. The principal grape varieties are Carignan, Grenache noir and Syrah, with Marselan also present in the reds. For the whites, the estate works with Grenache blanc, Muscat à petits grains and Muscat d'Alexandrie — a combination that speaks directly to the southern character of the appellation.

Organic farming as a long-term commitment

Château de Nouvelles holds full organic certification (Agriculture Biologique). This is not a recent marketing decision but a considered, long-term commitment to the health of soils that have been cultivated for centuries. Working without synthetic herbicides or pesticides on schist and clay-limestone requires patience and precision, particularly on the steeper parcels, but the results are evident in the vitality and minerality of the finished wines.

The wines: reds and whites from a southern terroir

Reds (Fitou / Languedoc): built on Carignan, Grenache noir and Syrah, with the schist parcels lending structure and the clay-limestone adding roundness; élevage is carefully judged to preserve freshness alongside depth.
Whites (Languedoc): produced from Grenache blanc and two Muscat varieties — Muscat à petits grains and Muscat d'Alexandrie — offering aromatic richness with a distinctly southern character.

Why we have selected Château de Nouvelles

We have listed Château de Nouvelles at Halles Quercamps for three reasons that reinforce one another. First, the terroir credentials are impeccable: the combination of blue schist at altitude and clay-limestone on the lower slopes, with yields held to 32 hl/ha, produces wines with genuine definition and a clear sense of place. Second, the organic commitment is total — every hectare, every wine in the range — which matters to us as much as it matters to a growing number of our customers. Third, the family continuity since 1834 gives the estate an authority and coherence that no amount of investment can manufacture overnight. We recommend these wines to customers who want to explore the Languedoc beyond the obvious, and who appreciate a bottle with real history behind it. At the table, the reds pair beautifully with slow-braised lamb, wild boar or a well-aged hard cheese; the Muscat-based whites are a natural match for foie gras or a simple tarte aux abricots.