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Malepère
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The Malepère region was awarded
AOC-AOP status on May 2nd 2007. It is a hilly area south-west of the city of Carcassonne which is included in the appellation along with 31 other towns and villages. Although the area claims a great history of wine making it was in the 1970’s that the vineyards began to be replanted and VDQS status was granted. VDQS is the intermediary wine designation between Vin de Pays and
AOC-AOP and is a testing ground for would-be
AOC-AOP’s to prove that wines from all the producers share a common personality before they can be awarded full
AOC-AOP status. Although an obscure region the Malepère is well worth a visit and offers a very different terrain to the more recognizable Languedoc appellations. There are many interesting medieval circular villages to visit. They were built this way to form ramparts to act as protection for the inhabitants. The Cathar religion was strong here and the area is immersed in history and folklore. |
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All information can be found by clicking on links, names and images! |
= Red Wine |
= White Wine |
 = Blanquette, Sparkling Wine |
= Organic Wine |
= Rosé |
= Muscat, Natural
Sweet Wine |
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This "appellation d'origine" of Malpere is the most Western of the Languedoc, built on the plains and hills that are bordered by a large massif that forms a trapezium- La Malpère. In Occitan, one speaks of " Male Peyre" , a poor quality stone when used for building purposes. These rocks suffer badly from erosion and structural changes. The old houses, churches and sculptures made from these rocks have become very smooth over the decades, from Montréal to Carcassonne.
31 communes are to be found in Malpere, in the West of the Aude, of which Carcassonne belongs, that are grouped around the Malpère mountains and they share the same appellation. These Grands Vins Côtes de Malepère , grown under the protection and shelter of the massif,combine strength, softness, flavours of red fruits. undertones of spices and vanilla. |
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Grape varieties:
In reds, Merlot is the dominant variety, associated with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cot, Grenache and Cinsault bring their mediterranean touch.
Vineyard:
At the heart of the triangle of Carcassonne, Limoux and Castelnaudary, this is the most westerly of Languedoc vineyards. From the Mont Naut, it's a succession of hills and vales. This is a vineyard of lime-clay hills and gravelly terraces, gifted with varieties and a personality that trespass the southern borders.
Wines:
The combination of grape varieties contributes in giving the wines of Malepère originality; these are well-structured wines to accompany Cassoulet, red meats, game or fermented cheeses. Younger wines give off aromas of red fruits and blackcurrant; older wines have notes of spices, vanilla and roasting.
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Appearance:
Sustained colour, deep & lively. On the nose, the dominant perfumes are small berries (essentially redcurrant, raspberry, blackcurrant), fresh fruits, like blackberry, & jams plus hints of spices, liquorice, truffle, pepper & lightly wooded scents.
In the mouth:
A powerful & rounded taste characterise the tannic structure. Good acid balance, these wines improve when matured in casks. |
The permitted grape varieties for red and rosé wine are:
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache Noir and Cinsault.
The most important grape varieties for white are Chardonnay, Macabeu, Grenache.
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An territory unique in Languedoc, due to its western location and the exposure of its slopes
makes the Côtes de Malepère, the most recent of the « Appellations d’Origine” awarded in
November 2006, a vintage associating oceanic mildness and Mediterranean warmth.. |
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Domaine
des Souleilles |
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Domaine des Souleilles is located 8 km from Limoux in the hamlet of Pech-Salamu within the appellation Malepère recently acquired the appellation of origin. The hamlet dating from 931 was built on ancient Gallo-Roman sites. The vines are planted at a density of 4,400 vines per hectare. 90% of the plots are cut by Guyot and the remaining 10% are cut in Royat cord. Land situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees Aude 250 m above sea level. The 32 hectares of vineyards are on parcels grouped around the hamlet. All of the vineyards are on clay-limestone with numerous sandstone outcrops...
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Cave La Malepère |
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Since 2008, the Cave "The Malepère is committed to an approach that integrates simultaneously the economic, social and environmental management structure. It is also a comprehensive approach involving employees and growers. This vineyard consists of almost 7.5 acres of grapes. About three-quarters acres of vineyards planted with Chardonnay, the breed La Cave Malepère an excellent white wine making. The remaining 6.5 acres are three red grape varieties, especially Merlot and further cot (malbec) and cabernet franc. In the future, it also documents new vineyard planting other varieties. That of course depends on further research into the potential of the land and the views of experts...
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Domaine de Matibat |
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Jean-Claude Turetti and his family give you a warm welcome at Domaine de Matibat, in the south of the Malepère appellation, 20 km from Carcassonne. An exceptional terroir that brings together ocean and Mediterranean influences that give the wines freshness and elegance.
Coming from northern Italy, the Turetti family, winemakers from father to son since 1898, settled in the Aude in 1927. In 1973, Henri Turetti acquired the Matibat estate and established one of the first caves in the Malepère. Today it is his son Jean-Claude Turetti, who is in charge of this domain...
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Château Guilhem |
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Chateau Guilhem (one of many wine domaines of languedoc) has been producing languedoc wines in the same family for several generations. It is in the village of "Malvies", not far from the city of Carcassonne in the languedoc, facing the magnificent mountain range of the Pyrenees.
The vineyard of Chateau Guilhem is spread over what was a Roman villa. Made up mainly of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon, it's fine red and rose wines are complex and fruity with a vigorous bouquet: the Sauvignon Blanc will charm amateurs of aromatic whites.
Access to the Chateau is clearly marked, with no need to go into the village...
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Cave du Razès |
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Cave du RAZES was established in 1949 with the aim of the forces of many small wine peasants to join. Currently there are 402 wineries and is joined as a major producer in the south of France considered. The wine is vinified and bottled on the farm. This is where fine wines are surprisingly. The vineyards, mainly clay and limestone, are immediately north of those responsible for Blanquette de Limoux. Wine production is dominated by several large co-operatives, of which the determinedly oceanique Cave du Razes alone is responsible for almost two-thirds of the region's entire production....
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Other Wineries, Producers in the "Malepère" with links!
All information can be found by clicking on links, names and images! |
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To help you familiarize yourself somewhat, we have
compiled
this list of Malepère Domains, Wineries
and Producers in the department of Aude (without links)
sorted by location. We hope you will enjoy your
visits at all wineries
and Domaines for a
"wine dégustation", as we did!
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