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Cabardès () is an '' Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée'' (AOC) for red and rosé wine in Languedoc-Roussillon wine region in France. Cabardès was named after the Lords of Cabaret who defended the
The residents of the Cabardes region produced wine as early as the Roman occupation, but the modern appellation was made official only in 1999. It had previously been a VDQS wine under the alternative names Cabardès and Côtes du Cabardès et de l'Orbiel since 1973. The unique requirement of blending Mediterranean varieties and Atlantic varieties is the result of experimentation in cultivation and blending that began in the late 1970s.
As of 2007, these wines were relatively unknown in France, and their export, in terms of volume, is exceptionally rare due to limited production quantities and a relatively small marketing budget.
The vineyards of the Cabardes cover a mere 500 hectares on the northwestern border of the modern Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, an area that runs up against the foothills of the
In France's Cabardes, Bordeaux meets Languedoc
May 25, 2007 The Wall Street Journal Europe The appellation really consists of a small grouping of villages directly north of the medieval walled city of Carcassonne. It is exceptionally small in size compared to the neighboring AOC areas like the 5,100 hectare-large
Vintner turns e-author
December 21, 2010 JancisRobinson.com
Most of the wine produced in the Cabardès is red, but rosé can also be produced under the AOC designation. The region is positioned on the cusp between the distinct climates of the Languedoc-Roussillon and the southwest of France. The appellation is the only AOC in France that permits the blending of grape varieties typically found in
Official website of the AOC Syndicate
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cabardes AOC Languedoc-Roussillon wine AOCs
Cabardès () is an '' Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée'' (AOC) for red and rosé wine in Languedoc-Roussillon wine region in France. Cabardès was named after the Lords of Cabaret who defended the Châteaux de Lastours
The Châteaux de Lastours (in Occitan ''Lastors'') are four so-called Cathar castles in the French ''commune'' of Lastours in the ''département'' of l'Aude. The four castles are on a rocky spur above the village of Lastours, isolated by the ...
against Simon de Montfort in 1209. Despite the name's medieval origins, this appellation is one of the youngest in France, having only become official in February 1999.
History
The residents of the Cabardes region produced wine as early as the Roman occupation, but the modern appellation was made official only in 1999. It had previously been a VDQS wine under the alternative names Cabardès and Côtes du Cabardès et de l'Orbiel since 1973. The unique requirement of blending Mediterranean varieties and Atlantic varieties is the result of experimentation in cultivation and blending that began in the late 1970s.
As of 2007, these wines were relatively unknown in France, and their export, in terms of volume, is exceptionally rare due to limited production quantities and a relatively small marketing budget.
Geography and climate
The vineyards of the Cabardes cover a mere 500 hectares on the northwestern border of the modern Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, an area that runs up against the foothills of the Montagne Noire
The Montagne Noire ( oc, Montanha Negra, known as the 'Black Mountain' in English) is a mountain range in central southern France. It is located at the southwestern end of the Massif Central at the juncture of the Tarn, Hérault and Aude departm ...
.Henry E. TeitelbauIn France's Cabardes, Bordeaux meets Languedoc
May 25, 2007 The Wall Street Journal Europe The appellation really consists of a small grouping of villages directly north of the medieval walled city of Carcassonne. It is exceptionally small in size compared to the neighboring AOC areas like the 5,100 hectare-large
Minervois
Minervois is an AOC in the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region, in the departments of the Aude and of the Herault. Historically, the region's capital has been the village of Minerve.
AOC regulations require the wine to be blended (at least 2 variet ...
or the 15,000 hectare behemoth of the Corbieres.
The soil composition varies between chalky clay, limestone and rocky foothill terroir. The weather is largely dominated by the powerful wind currents of the region, the dry, Atlantic vent Cers and the warm, Mediterranean vent Marin. The appellation's location where these winds meet on the border of two major French climatic zones creates a unique microclimate that has influenced its development as a winemaking region.Jancis RobinsoVintner turns e-author
December 21, 2010 JancisRobinson.com
Grapes
Most of the wine produced in the Cabardès is red, but rosé can also be produced under the AOC designation. The region is positioned on the cusp between the distinct climates of the Languedoc-Roussillon and the southwest of France. The appellation is the only AOC in France that permits the blending of grape varieties typically found in Mediterranean climates
A Mediterranean climate (also called a dry summer temperate climate ''Cs'') is a temperate climate sub-type, generally characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, fairly wet winters; these weather conditions are typically experienced in the ...
like Syrah
Syrah (), also known as Shiraz, is a dark-skinned grape variety grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce red wine. In 1999, Syrah was found to be the offspring of two obscure grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse B ...
and Grenache
Grenache () or Garnacha () is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world. Niels Lillelund: ''Rhône-Vinene'' p. 25, JP Bøger – JP/Politikens Forlagshus A/S, 2004. . It ripens late, so it needs hot, dry conditi ...
with varieties typically found in Atlantic climates like Merlot
Merlot is a dark blue–colored wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name ''Merlot'' is thought to be a diminutive of ''merle'', the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the ...
, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone, as in the Loire's Chinon. In addition to being us ...
and Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon () is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Australia and British Columbia, Canada to Lebanon' ...
. Winemakers are required to grow 50% Atlantic varieties and 50% Mediterranean varieties, and must also blend them - the new requirements from 2011 rule that the proportions of both Atlantic or Mediterranean varieties must be 40% or higher. This varietal composition reflects the distinctive soil qualities and dominant winds of the area.
See also
* French wine *List of appellations in Languedoc-Roussillon {{unreferenced, date=March 2013
The AOCs for Languedoc-Roussillon wine include:
Eastern Languedoc
* Berlou – Red wines
* Clairette de Bellegarde (fr)
* Clairette de Languedoc
*Coteaux du Languedoc – Red wine, White wine, Rosé
* Coteaux du ...
References
External links
Official website of the AOC Syndicate
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cabardes AOC Languedoc-Roussillon wine AOCs