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AOC/AOP Cabardes

Appellation area

There are no less than six rivers irrigating the slopes of this amphitheatre built right up against the Montagne Noire.  Facing south, this area dominates the city of Carcassonne.

Geology

The Cabardès slopes, along the Fresquel and the Trapel, are covered with limestone rocks helping to keep the ground cool.  Moving up the hills, the principal stone is granite, then schist and gneiss.

Climate

Exposed to easterly and westerly winds, this area is the meeting place of two climates, the soft influence of the Atlantic and the heat of the Mediterranean.  These soils are at between 100 and 350 m above sea level.

Grapes

40 % minimum of Atlantic grapes: Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet franc, 40 % minimum of Mediterranean grapes: Syrah, Grenache 20 % maximum of Cot, Fer Servadou and Cinsaultt.

Vinification

Red wines: this wine strives for subtlety and concentration using long wine production processes followed by a complex assemblage.

Key figures

• 400 ha of vineyards
• 5 cooperative wine producers
• 25 private wine producers

Average yield

• 45 hl/hectare

Production

• 18 000 hl
• 90% red
• 10% rosé
• 90% sold at property or château, bottled on site

Sales

• 18 000 hl (storehouse outputs 2005/06)
• Export : 9 000 hl