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The vineyard of Fitou covers 2600 ha, divided into two distinct areas: one along the Mediterranean Sea, the other at the hearth of the Massif of Corbières. Both areas have been recognized in AOC/AOP in 1948, consecration for producers who could yet produce on these areas Natural Sweet Wines, Muscat de Rivesaltes and Corbières.
Only nine districts are classified as AOC/AOP: Cascastel, Caves, Fitou, La Palme, Leucate, Paziols, Treilles, Tuchan and Villeneuve.
The terroir of Fitou is characterized by a rocky clay limestone soil with schist, and a typically Mediterranean climate. This exposure gives to wines power and body, fineness and suppleness. The vine is the only plant of this region where alternate steep hillside, valleys and table-land of scrubland.
Historically, the Fitou comes from two grapes: Carignan and black Grenache. The Carignan finds here its favourite land due to its low yield; it gives it power to the strong personality of the “cru”. The generosity of the Grenache moderates, by its smoothness, the wild expression of the Carignan, giving it the smooth and the mellow that characterize it. The Fitou combines these two traditional grapes with two other grapes which give to the wine subtle nuances: the Syrah develops fineness and complexity, emphasizing it size with its aromatic bouquet of violet and notes of little fruits; the Mourvèdre with it strong expression of its tannic structure give a important potential of ageing, pepper, game, truffle, black fruits are its principal aromatic characteristics.
The carbonic maceration, which gives soft, fruity and coloured wines, allows elaborate wines to drink in the year.
The traditional vinification is made with entire grapes crushed, or with a total or partial de-stemming.
40 hl/ha - 45 hl/ha
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