The Vineyard of Corrèze

Corrèze is not (yet!) a territory where there are many vines. However, there are still wine, spirits and traditional alcohols to discover there. Very good wine even, and for amateurs, it is more than necessary to taste the delicious Vin de Paille de Corrèze. About 200 hectares of vines (for about 400,000 annual red and white bottles combined) are cultivated throughout the department, more to the south and south-east.

Straw Wine from Corrèze

Please note, we do not say Vin Paillé, because it is a denomination reserved for sweet wines of the same type, traditionally made in the Jura. The Vin de Paille de Corrèze is therefore a very sweet beverage, sweet even traditionally tasted as an aperitif, with a cheese platter or for dessert. It is made from white grape varieties (Chardonnay and Sauvignon). It is also called the Honey of the Muses, or white raisined wine and amber raisined wine.

The Vin de Paille is produced in this way: We will harvest the bunches at maturity, delicately by hand, passing several times through the vines. They are put to dry in racks (kinds of crates) throughout the fall. The bunches will dehydrate, the water contained in the grapes will evaporate, leaving only the concentrated juice (you need about 8 kilos of grapes for 1 liter of wine!). This is called passerage. Around Christmas time, we will press the grapes to extract this divine juice. It is aged 18 months in barrel and at least 3 years in all, before being bottled. There is also a red version of Vin de Paille de Corrèze. Its color is amber, it is rounder in the mouth and both are tasted between 12 and 14 degrees. About 50,000 bottles a year come out of this very specific wine, whose origins date back to the Middle Ages. It is 20% of the area of vines cultivated in Corrèze.

The Country Wine of Corrèze: Branceilles

The vineyard of Branceilles (a commune to the west of Curemonte and Collonges-la-Rouge) has been in cultivation since the 6th century. On these clay-limestone lands (which gave the name to 1001 Pierres et le Vin Passerillé, a Wine Cooperative Society that promotes these wines), the winegrowers of Branceilles work in solidarity. They have come together to revive and discover this terroir, putting the vines back into cultivation for 30 years (30 ha). They have a vinification cellar and an aging cellar in barrels. 50% of the vineyard is organic. The AOC was obtained in 2017.

Alcohols and spirits of Corrèze

In Corrèze, as in many rural areas, there is a tradition of local-specific aperitifs and liqueurs.

Discover the Walnut liqueur (quinquinoix and its variations) which is made from macerated walnut husk, offering a strong and powerful taste, but sweet and syrupy at the same time. Top for the aperitif, as a digestive or as a culinary aid in country recipes.

Chestnut liqueur also comes from an old traditional recipe. Chestnuts are infused in fruit alcohol with sugar and other surprises to make a tasty drink for lovers of this tannic taste. Try it “chabrot” style in a coffee base…

Blueberry liqueur is the big star of Monédières, delicious for making kirs! Wild and cultivated blueberries from Monédières are abundant in this region where the well-drained and acidic soil gives them plenty of room to flourish. There is also raspberry cultivation and therefore the deliciously tart liqueur produced with this rosacea berry.

The great Corrèze distilleries not to be missed to discover these marvels (in addition to small producers) are: La Distillerie Denoix in Brive-la-Gaillarde, which offers free and guided tours, it is a company that has existed for the 19th century. The Bennet Distillery, also in Brive, which works with Gentian, makes chestnut liqueur and other delicacies such as flavored rum... The Diège Distillery in Égletons, which notably makes a delicious Gentian aperitif, liqueurs and eau-de-vie, syrups… The Distillerie des Terres Rouges in Collonges-la-Rouge which produces all kinds of traditional and alcoholic drinks and offers a small museum space on these activities. The Rougerie & Fils Distillery in Maussac has specialized in wild fruit and berry liqueurs since 1800 (free visits and tastings). Also, don't miss Lou Pé Dé Gril in Curemonte and their delicious dandelion flower liqueur.

The craft breweries of Corrèze

In Corrèze, there are many craft breweries and micro-breweries. Enthusiasts who make every effort to brew beers of all styles, from the lightest to the most gourmet, full of character and tasty. Find them in our section on the craft breweries of Corrèze.