Many consumers do not understand the merits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

A large portion of consumers do not know the intrinsic qualities of Extra Virgin Olive Oil; time and time again, we find consumers who are unaware that the taste of quality oils are often times accompanied by a bitter after bite. Some mistakingly believe the bitter bite means the oil was spoiled...

Like with wine, time spent understanding the qualities of extra-virgin olive oil allow consumers to come to better appreciate their diverse flavors. However, average consumers willing to spend 10-20 euros for a bottle of wine are often hesitant to spend the same amount on a bottle of quality oil that is consumed just 2 tablespoons at a time! Today still too many are putting more focus on the oil they put into their car rather than the oil they put into their stomach!

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Making sure our visitors enjoy their time with us in our number one priority. As such, we are thrilled by the level of positive feedback we receive from past visitors.

We know the secret to building a great business is great customer service. In the travel business, there is no better gauge of customer satisfaction than Tripadvisor.

Thanks to all our visitors who have helped us achieve the number one ranking for best travel experience in Paris!

Neither sun or wind can destroy the type of wine that has been developed in this part of Southern France.

An unpopulated landscape maybe beautiful but it is never really the land. Thanks to our predecessors the true potential of the earth has been harnessed to produce this unique product. It results from the work of generations of vignerons whose history culminated in the birth 50 years ago of 'Cru Fitou, the first red wine of the Languedoc to obtain the prestigious "Appellation d'Origine Controlée" (AOC).

This wine is cultivated in two areas. To the west it comes from an area in the Corbières Mountain region where the fortress of Aguilar overlooks the plain of Tuchan and Paziols. The other part is nearer the sea where all that remains of the citadal of Leucate are enormous blocks of stone, and at the Château of Fitou itself where there is the remains of a great wall. This was controversial territory claimed by both France and Spain and this land was fought over for many years.

In the mountains the vines climb the steep slopes of narrow and enclosed tributaries of the River Berre which irrigates the land of Cascastel and Villeneuve-les-Corbières. The vegetation is that of the garrigue* and maquis**. The slopes of shale are coloured with a range of reds and greys and can be seen everywhere in this arid land where the rocks and stones shine brilliantly in the strong sun and wind. These are the climatic conditions which give Fitou wine its unity.

Learn more http://www.cru-fitou.com

Muscat de Rivesaltes or a 5 year old Rancio drunk chilled as an aperitif stimulates your taste buds. To accompany the Muscat de Rivesaltes some thinly sliced, dried 'saussison', "Tapas", a slice of melon or even Chinese Spring rolls. With foie gras you might try a Rivesaltes Grenache but if you prefer POELE the 5 year old Rancio would be perfect.

For a first course of dips and 'crudités' or with a salad, or for a barbecue, the aromatic Corbières Rosé served chilled would be ideal.

Sea food needs something more delicate and a Corbières Blanc (white wine), whose particular character is derived from the schist on which the grapes grow, would be a good complement to the fish course.

For the main course of perhaps poultry or meat cooked in a sauce or even game like wild boar a very good accompaniment would be a Fitou . This is a wine which has a nose of ripe fruit, is well balanced and with/has soft melting tannins. Fitou 2003 has an explosive and complex nose, and would be ideal to drink with special and festive dishes.

With a cheese like Roquefort or indeed any blue veined cheese, the Rivesaltes Grenache would be good. Fitou Grand Guilhem and goats cheese go well together and with powerful cheeses like langres, époisses, munster, gapperon then a Corbières Blanc is perfect. The wine to drink with any cheese selected from the cheese board would have to be Fitou Grand Guilhem.

To accompany the dessert the sweet wines are excellent. For example to go with a chocolate dessert then a 5 year old Rancio served at a temperature of between 7°C and 8°C would be perfect. This wine has an aroma of plums, dried figs, its tannins are supple and it. The Rivesaltes Grenache goes with a dessert which has red fruits. With ice cream and sorbets, be again tempted with an elegant Muscat de Rivesaltes!.

Bon appétit...et bonne dégustation

• Discover the Cathar Castles of Aguilar, Quéribus, Peyrepertuse, Villerouge-termenés... la Cité médiévale de Carcassonne (given World Historical Monument status by UNESCO), the romanesque abbeys of Fontfroide and Lagrasse.
• Visit the vineyards in a 4 x 4 vehicle, learn about growing vines and the art of wine making. See the wine harvest 'Les Vendanges'. Have an adventure in a 4 x 4 following part of the route of the Paris/Dakar car race.

• Visit the African Safari Park (Réserve Africaine) at Sigean where there are 3500 animals.
• Take a tour on a mountain bike following the marked tracks around Cascastel.
• Walk along the 'Sentier Cathare' (Cathar footpath) or along other tracks and footpaths around Cascastel.
• Concerts and evenings of wine and music from November to March at the Domaine.
• Visit a botanical garden and also see the beehives.
• Good restaurants: 'Le Clos de Cascastel'; 'L'Auberge du Vieux Puits' (three stars Michelin); 'La table du Pêcheur'; 'La Rotisserie Médiéval'; L'Amandier', 'La Fargo', 'Château de Lastours', 'Le Merle Bleu'; 'Le Corbierou', 'L'Auberge du Vigneron'...
• Play boule in the village square.
• Horseriding 7 kms away; hang gliding on Mont Tauch; tennis 2 kms away.
• Within 1hr.30 there are the ski slopes of Font-Romeu, Pyrénées 2000, Les Angles...

Water sports

• The swimming pool and the jacuzzi at the Domaine.
• A pool fed by a warm water spring where the temperature is always 21°, 7 kms away.
• 25kms distant are the beaches displaying each year the "Pavillon bleu" sign of the quality of the water for swimming. The nearest beach is Leucate with its cliffs.
• Wind surfing/speed sailing at the sailing centre of Pascal Maka (World speed champion).
• Cruise in a catamaran with or without a skipper.
• Skin diving/snorkelling.
• A guided tour round the L'Ile Ste Lucie with a naturalist.
• Take a trip on a canal barge along the Canal Robine from Narbonne to Port la Nouvelle.
• The Canal du Midi - classed as a world historic monument by UNESCO).
• Fishing.
• Swimming in gorges, rafting, hydrospeed, canoeing.