Cabardès AOC

The area and the wine growing region Cabardès received the name of the Count Cabaret, defended the Lastours against Simon IV de Montfort. The appellation has since February 12, 1999 exclusively for the red wine over the status of an Appellation d' Origine ( AOC short ).

Geographical expansion

The wine-growing area Cabardès is located north of Carcassonne in the immediate western neighborhood of the Appellation Minervois in the Languedoc wine region. The vineyards cover about 592 hectares in the 14 municipalities Aragon, Conques- sur- Orbiel, Fournes- Cabardès, Fraisse- Cabardès, Les Ilhes, Lastours, Montolieu, Moussoulens, Ventenac- Cabardès Villanière, Villardonnel, Villedubert, Villegailhenc and Villemoustaussou in the Aude department. The maximum extent of areas under vines is 650 hectares .. To the east is the 15- kilometer area by the V-shaped valley of the Orbiel, bounded on the west by the valley of the Dure.

Location

The vineyards are located at an average altitude of about 220 meters above sea level. inst in gentle slopes of the foothills of the Montagne Noire. The highest vineyards are located 320 meters above sea level. inst. Through a south facing slopes of the vineyards are protected from the cold north winds. Against the blowing from the northwest cerium, however, the area is not protected because the air masses come through the corridor of the Canal du Midi in the area. Thus, the territory climatic transition from a Mediterranean climate to a temperate climate dar. Summer is less dry than in the eastern part of the department of Aude. The dry season is limited to the period between 15 July and 10 August. This also has an impact on the choice of grape varieties.

Varieties

In general, the yields are limited to 50 hectoliters / hectare. In some vintages, the restriction of yield can be increased up to 66 hectoliters / hectare.

The red wines are made from Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The proportion of Grenache Syrah plus must be at least 40 percent. The same applies to the sum of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In addition, may be used as a secondary varieties still Cinsault, Malbec and Fer Servadou. Since 2000, the use of Carignan and Aubun is prohibited.

Others

• The planting density is at least 4000 vines per hectare.
• The natural alcoholic strength of the wine must be at least 11.5 percent by volume.