The products of the Minervois are fundamentally agricultural but that basic view would exclude another product which is growing perhaps faster these days, tourism.

Of the agricultural products, the most important must be wine and the visitor could be excused for assessing as he looks quickly at the landscape that this is a mono-culture area . Wines include AOC wines, Vin de Pays and single variety wines. These latter are increasing in variety and quantity each year.

The region has a variety of soil types and micro-climates all of which contribute to a rich variety of 'terroirs' each lending special qualities to its wine. We provide more information on these 'terroirs' and for much of this, thanks are due to 'Le Cru Minervois', the governing institution for the Minervois Appellation.
Recent efforts continue to lead to improved quality in wine products and in 1999 the new AOC area received its charter, 'Minervois La Livinière'. This groups together the wine producing area of six villages within the AOC Minervois central region.

The Minervois, like the Languedoc in general, has been strong on the cooperative movement with almost every commune having its 'Cave Cooperative', sometimes even more than one where local traditions and jealousies were very strong.
Recent years have, however, seen the healthy development of individual 'Caves' where the individual producers are attempting to differentiate their products in order to gain market advantages. This has inevitably had an effect on the strength of the Coops.
The trend towards individuals' attempts at market differentiation has also lead to an increasing development of single variety wines and also a proliferation of labels adapted to various market sectors, sometimes showing imaginary chatâux.