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Corbières
| The Corbières is of course world famous for its wine. The good soil and excellent weather conditions are perfect for viniculture. The area is covered with vineries, huge pieces of earth gliding along with the sloping landscape which is so characteristic for the Corbières. |
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All information can be found by clicking on links, names and images! |
= Red Wine
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= White Wine
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 = Blanquette, Sparkling Wine |
= Organic Wine
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= Rosé
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= Muscat, Natural
Sweet Wine
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The Corbières is one of the wildest areas of France with one of the lowest population densities. It is picturesque with wine growing areas alternating with garigue and mountainous countryside. It is located mainly in the Aude département and partly in the Pyrénées-Orientales département.
The River Aude borders the Corbières to the west and north. To the south is the River Agly and to the east the the Mediterranean Sea.
The name Corbières comes from "cor" a pre-Celtic word meaning "rock" and "berre" from the River Berre which runs through Durban.
The eastern part of the Corbières with its Etangs, borders the the Mediterranean Sea and is called the Corbières maritimes. It has its own distinctive climate and characteristic vegetation known as thermomediterranean vegetation. |
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The Corbières have been known in the past for cheap, uncomplicated red wine produced in vast quantities to quench the thirst of northern France. However, over the past twenty years things have been quietly changing. The producers have organised themselves and attained Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC-AOP) status, and adopted new technology while still retaining the best of their old traditions; poor quality vines have been pulled up and replaced with better ones. The best Corbières wines can now hold their own with the classic French vintages of Bordeaux and Burgundy, and prove it by regularly snapping up prizes at national competitions. Some of the very best wines, by their nature, are produced in small quantities and it is rare to find them outside the region of production. Yet at the same time, compared to better known wine regions, prices are still very reasonable. The producers are justly proud of their achievements, and willing to demonstrate the point by offering tastings on the spot. Many local restaurants also make a point of showcasing local wines alongside regional specialities. In this arid region virtually no crop will grow except vines, which have been cultivated here since Roman times. At the height of summer the gnarled black vine stocks still manage to conserve their parasols of lush green leaves, drawing water from deep underground and shading the bunches of ripening grapes beneath. This constantly rippling green sea is only occasionally disturbed by a row of dark erect cypresses providing both windbreak and shade to a pale stucco farmhouse. Above it all rise rocky outcrops where even vines will not grow, spiky with the tough, bushy plants of the garrigue. Under the surface there is an amazing variety of geology, and the lie of the land means that rainfall and soil types can differ dramatically from one side of a hill to the other — resulting in a similar diversity in the wines produced.
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The vast majority (80%) of Corbières wine is red, with the remainder equally split between white and rosé. Red wines are generally full-bodied and spicy; rosés range from deep pink to the palest of tints, uncomplicated and fresh-flavoured. To those accustomed to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, the whites may seem bland at first but the best are light, dry and fruity. The top
AOC-AOP wines can cost as much as 20-30 euros a bottle. But at the other extreme you can find excellent wines (both Vin de Pays and
AOC-AOP) sold direct from the wine vats (advertised as en vrac) in plastic jerry cans ("cubis") at very modest prices — from a couple of euros a litre upwards. Be aware when buying wine like this that it won’t keep long unless you transfer it to sealed bottles. A more suitable alternative for taking home with you is the "bag-in-box", which excludes air to maintain freshness. |
The permitted grape varieties for red and rosé wine
are:
assemblies with grenache, syrah, cinsault, carignan, lladoner pelut, mourvèdre;
in some western AOC-AOP's evenso cabernet sauvignon, merlot
and côt (malbec)
The most important grape varieties for white are Bourboulenc (Malvoisie) - Grenache blanc, Maccabeu, Clairette, Muscat (maximum 10%), Piquepoul, Terret blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Rolle or Vermentino.
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The Corbières vine growing area is divided into 11 distinct terroirs. For the growers this means different soils, different micro-climates and different ways of working. For the visitor it means a surprising variety of landscapes. From the Mediterranean, with its long sandy beaches, you can pass through the well-watered plain around Lézignan-Corbières, up to the empty high Corbières: dry, stark and rocky, all within an hour’s drive |
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Nowdays, French organic wines show up consistently among the top ten best wines of any region where they are represented, being cited in magazines as the most innovative, interesting and personalized products around. Surprisingly though, due to a relative lack of public awareness and trade recognition, this quality does not come at a big premium, compared to everything labeled "organic" nowadays! |
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Château
Lacour Manoy |
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The region of Corbieres in the western Languedoc has developed an increasing reputation for producing above average wines, reds in particular. In our search for small producers who meet standards set by Village Wines we were very impressed when we met young wine maker/owner Andre-Jacques Arnaud. He seemed to be involved in every aspect of wine making on his estate (which has been in his family for over two centuries), and even designs the labels! Andre-Jacques meticulous vinification methods using selective picking from mature vineyards has resulted in red Corbieres of tremendous quality, which is confirmed by the impressive tally of medals won...
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Domaine La Rune |
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Located in the heart of the Corbières, between the Abbeys
of Fontfroide and Lagrasse. Discover the history of the Cathars through the majestic strongholds of Quéribus and Peyrepertuse. Sumptuous Cathar lunch. Enjoy a convivial wine tasting at the Domaine La Rune. Come to wander in the heart
of the Corbières around the vineyard,
guided by the wine-maker, who will tell
you all about the secrets of the region
followed by a wine and syrup tasting during
a traditional lunch or snack...
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Château Salvagnac |
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This property’s acquisition was based on being truly taken by the estate’s Terroir as well as the unique and preserved landscape. Each year, our challenge is to bring each plot of land and each grape variety to its optimal maturity. Only the greatest Terroirs are able to produce an exceptional Mourvèdre wine. This is our king grape variety and our specialty.
Wine is my passion. Our wines are made and aged in a cellar built according to age-old techniques which protect them from temperature variations. This building, made from specially cut stones, is tucked into the environment, which offers a subtle and delicate collection of tradition and modernity...
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Château Bel Evèque |
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For wine, vineyards, and the future of viniculture in and around Gruissan visit Château Bel Evèque and discover the life of the vine from soil to vine, from vine to grape, from grape to wine. Trace traditional methods to the cutting edge. If you seeking film glamor visit actor (Le Grand Blond avec une chaussure noire) Pierre Richard's vineyard, at Château Bel Evèque, on Route des Salins. The french comedian Pierre Richard manages a Corbière wine called Domaine Château Bel Evêque, in Aude
Francis Ford-Copolla, Sam Neil (Jurassic Park), Bob Dylan et Madonna have all invested in this passion of the vine...
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Château de Sérame |
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This extensive property (around 175ha), straddling both the Corbières and Minervois appellations, is centred on a collection of old aristocratic manor buildings that house the offices, cellar and a new tasting room/shop. Sérame has received significant investment from Bordeaux estate owner and broker Dourthe since they became tenants in 2001, especially in replanting the vineyards (now majority Syrah followed by Carignan and Grenache for AC wines). Their Corbières and Minervois reds represent very enjoyable, towards 'modern' examples of these ACs; and the Reserve Vin de Pays d’Oc range, such as dry Muscat and Merlot, is very good too. Why not enjoy a peaceful walk around the attractive vineyards and countryside across the road from the château...
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Château de Lastours |
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The
terraced vineyard covers around 100
hectares on a hilly estate of more than
800 hectares. The highest point is 300
meters above sealevel and the area
enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, the proximity of the sea moderating the summer heat.
The Mediterranean influence combined
with mainly clayey limestone soil is
ideal for making great wines. This
stoney ground is where the noble grapes
varieties flourish, Syrah, Grenache,
Carignan, Mourvedre and Cinsault. The
range of Château de Lastours wines made is exclusively
from grapes picked on the Lastour estate...
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Other Wineries, Producers in the "Corbières" with links!
All information can be found by clicking on links, names and images! |
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Enjoy your wine tasting ("dégustation")!
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