O’Millésimes in Montpellier: two evenings of cultural and festive encounters around wine at Domaine d’O

Ambiance musicale douce, dégustations de vins et produits locaux dans la pinède. Midi Libre – RICHARD DE HULLESSEN

See you on July 19 and 20, from 6:30 p.m., for the third edition of O’Millésimes, in the superb Domaine d’O in Montpellier. On the program: concert and musical entertainment for the whole family, introductions to ballroom dancing, theater, and meetings with winegrowers and food producers, who will help you taste their products.

Wine is a whole story. Cultural and natural heritage, it " is part of the DNA of Montpellier ", Michaël Delafosse, mayor of this city and the metropolis, likes to repeat. After the Covid-19 pandemic put an end to the Estivales de Montpellier in 2020 on the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, O’Millésimes took over in 2022, allowing Montpellier residents to gather outside for celebrate wine. And because the latter is a cultural product par excellence, it needed a setting and activities of the same nature. This will be the Domaine d’O.

A time to share at everyone's pace

" We wanted with this event to introduce the region through wine, by associating different forms of art and also ensuring that grandparents, couples and their children can participate fully and peacefully ", recalls Roger-Yannick Chartier, deputy mayor responsible for patronage and the promotion of the region's products of excellence.

Organized by the town hall, in partnership with the AOP Languedoc union and the Domaine d’O, the activities are divided between music concerts, dance initiations, workshops for all ages, storytelling, and even cinema this year, around wine of course, in the presence of eight winegrowers per evening and seven food producers. "Over these two days, we have a set of everything I love in wine, sharing with family and friends. Children can play, parents listen to music, taste wines and chat with winegrowers. This is the Mediterranean art of living in this place where everyone does what they want at their own pace… ", says Jean-Philippe Granier, technical director of the Syndicat AOP Languedoc.

"We have time to talk about our wines"

At their own pace and with real time for discussion, this is what encourages Jean Lacauste, from Mas d'Arcaÿ in Sainy-Drézéry, to come back every year to introduce his wines. “For us, it's an opportunity to renew contacts with the people of Montpellier since the disappearance of the Estivales. Then, it's our city“, confides the winemaker. At Domaine Ampelhus, Jenia and Thibaud Vermillard also come back with pleasure. “It's an event that makes sense to us, the winemakers. The site is also very pleasant, the atmosphere is family-friendly and we have time to talk about our wines", Jenia explains.

Among the new arrivals, the Saint-Chinian cooperative cellar is making its debut this year. Art in the cellar is his specialty. It is displayed on the walls and vats of the cellar, but also on the bottles named after the street art artists who worked at the Saint-Chinian cellar, notably Kashink and Nasty. The art of wine is also a long and very beautiful history.

For those who do not have the leisure or time to come to the O’Millésimes evenings in July, a second opportunity is offered to them, on August 23 and 24. Whatever day you choose, it is strongly recommended to book as early as possible on the Syndicat de l’AOP Languedoc website.

O'Millésimes: concerts and musical events, dance, poetry, tastings. Ask for the program

The launch of the festivities is scheduled for July 19, at 6:30 p.m., at the Domaine d’O. The public will be welcomed in a musical atmosphere to enjoy, all evening, tastings with local winegrowers and producers, games for young and old, and highlights which will punctuate this third edition.

For little ones, from 7 p.m., the Compagnie ça fait des bandeles takes them on a discovery of Dionysus. This tale is accessible from the age of 6. For children aged 10 and over, at the same time, Bois Vert artists will invite them to a slam, poetry and rap workshop, on the mezzanine of the Jean-Claude Carrière theater. At 7 p.m. 30, the AOP Languedoc will, for its part, appeal to their senses with its workshop ‘Taste for children in the pine forest’. Throughout the evening, games will be offered to them by Strata’j’m Sud.

For adults, an oenology discovery workshop will be hosted by AOP Languedoc, at 7:30 p.m. ;a sound fresco, the result of the meeting between artists and winegrowers, will take place from 8 p.m. Dance and concerts will also be there, with an introduction to Balfolk dances (8 p.m.), a concert of polyphonic dance songs with Cocanha (9 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.), followed by an evening with the Mixeuses Solidarity. Same program for the evening of July 20.
 

Opening hours for July 19 and 20: from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. nbsp;Price: 7 euros with two drinks included. Free entry for non-drinkers and children under 18. Access: Domaine d’O. North entrance. 178 rue de la Carriérasse, Montpellier. Tram: Line 1, Malbosc stop.

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