Cabardès

The soils, The climat, Production, History, distinctions

The Vineyard and The Wine Makers.

Cabardès is the only French appellation to associate 40% minimum of atlantic grape varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Cot and Fer Servadou) with 40% minimum of mediterranean grape varieties (Syrah and Grenache), completion of blends possible with 20% of Cot and Fer Servadou. This unique possibilité is due to the position of the vineyard under an east - west transitional climate which naturally influences the local vegetation. The meeting of a humid Bordeaux-type climate with the hot mediterranean sun, dream of any wine maker, enables complex wines to be made from the appellation's large palette of grape varieties, blending being the key to the wines' rich balance.

(Click on a name of city to discover the producers residing there). Association of the wine growers

Wine growers with detailed presentation : DOMAINE DE CABROL 11600 ARAGON Tél.: 04 68 77 19 06 Wine grower(s) with web site : Vignobles Lorgeril Other(s) site(s) : Mairie d'Aragon

Spread over 2000 hectares, Cabardès, A.O.C. since the november 1998, exists because of the daily efforts of 22 wineries of which 4 coopérative cellars and 18 private properties. The continual efforts for quality research to intensify the authenticité and personality of the wines have led to the recent sélection, plot by plot of the Cabardès vineyard and promotion into the A.O.C. category.

The vignerons of the elghteen villages of the appellation invite you to discover or re-visit the Cabardès country and its wines, the Montagne Noire and the four rivers flowing south.
The cellars are open to welcome you.

The soils :

The south-facing slopes of the Cabardès terroir represent an exceptionnal vine growing environment, the foothills of the "Montagne Noire". The following soils are identified :
- Chalky Marl ("Molasses de Carcassonne"),
- Limestone "Calcaire d'Aragon" (red soil) and "Calcaire de Ventenac" (higher percentage of marl in the soil),
- Siliceous Formations, metamorphic rock of the Montagne Noire, slate and gneiss.

The Climate :

The Cabardès is located in an east - west transition zone :
- The eastern zone ; dry and hot summers,
- The western zone ; higher levels of rain in the summer,
- The northern zone ; higher altitude, colder temperatures and less fertile soils (superb conditions for low yield, top quality viticulture),
- The southern zone ; richer, alluvial soils.


Production :

The 22 wineries - 18 private and 4 coopérative cellars of the 18 villages the Cabardès Appellation use 400 hectares to produce approximately 20 000 hectolitres. The sélection and classification of vineyard plots allow for low-yield production (limited to 50hl/ha) of top quality wines.

Cabardès : style and balance

The principal production of the Cabardès is in red, however we also present rosés, fine, dry, sometimes rich, soft, always fresh and full of fruit.

More and more considered as the perfect balance amongst the great wine makers of the world - top new world wines often blended from syrah - cabernet for example - the blending of two 'families' of grape varieties, mediterranean and atlantic, enables the vigneron to obtain rich, complex and well balanced wines, the lively expressive ripe fruit of atlantic varieties blending perfectly with the soft, dark, full bodied rich aromas of the mediterranean grapes.

These characteristics temper and harmonize according to the geographical zone of the vineyard, the terroir (soil, climate, the growing environment), the quality of the year's harvest, the proportion of each grape type used, and last but not least
the style, technique and artistry of each wine maker.

Cabardès wines ar e generally, dark, complexe rich developing aromas of blackcurrant, black cherries, ripe prunes, violet, ... Their ageing potentiel stretches from 2 to 10 years.

The Cabardès wineries have engaged a concerted effort to produce expressive wine for the pleasure of consumers who are more and more experienced and knowledgeable.

History (photo : Château de Lastours) :

The Romans introduced vines into Septimanie as from 100 B.C., notably on the lower slopes of the Montagne Noire while at a higher altitude they developed mining for iron and other minerals, for which the ovens were fuelled with wood from the extensive nearby oak and beach forests as have demonstrated recent excavations of roman villas in the Cabardès area at Saint Denis and Laprade.

Later, traces are to be round in archived deeds of the existence of the vineyard (the Cartulaire of Mahul). In 1005 benedictine monks of the abbey of Montolieu, Saint Jean-Baptiste de Maillard pernùtted the plantation of vines for the inhabitants of Fare, a locality situated on the plateau separating the communes of Alzonne and Pezens.

In 1709, a petition from the municipal council of Montolieu reported that, following a very cold winter, vines and olive trees had been destroyed, causing famine and poverty for a number of years.

In 1750 the Lord of Villardonnel sold the Domaine of Fromental compn'sing vines and olive groves.

In 1752, during the Spanish wars of succession, Monsieur de Pennautier, Treasurer of the Languedoc states, General Receiver of the French clergy and Steward of the French armies in Spain, regularly received, at his headquarters, his wines of Pennautier. He supplied the Generals' cantines and drank them at his table (journal of the Agricultural Society of Carcassonne IV P. 136).

At that time, peasants cultivated vines on terraces called "Faysses" on the hillsides of Montolieu, Villardonnel, Aragon, Ventenac-Cabardès, Salsigne and Conques while the main resources of higher Cabardès villages such as Caudebronde, La Tourette, Miraval, Mas Cabardès came from producing vine stakes and wine containers from the local chestnut forests.

The Cartulaire of Mahul reports the comments of the Baron Trouvé, Prefect of Carcassonne who, in 1812, praised the quality of the region's wines.

In 1867, Felicien Pariset also reports in 'Economie Rurale, Industrie, Moeurs et Usages de la Montagne Noire' the recognition of the high quality of Cabardès wines which were exported to far away countries to 'improve' the wines of better known regions. The success of local viticulture was accentuated during the aineteenth century because, unlike most French vineyards, the Cabardès was as yet spared from the development of the devastating Phylloxera disease.

The existence of numerous 'Royal' textile factories in the Cabardès area since the time of Colbert, then of several tanneries and of the local mining industry encouraged the development of small fan-iily businesses, the growth of larger, essentially viticultural domaines and later the creation of 5 coopérative cellars.

Cabardès 'A Rainfall of Medals' : The Past 10 Years

Concours Général Agricole de Paris : 14 gold medals, 7 silver medals, 7 bronze medals

SILENE du Languedoc-Roussillon : 10 gold medals, 9 silver medals, 9 bronze medals

Concours des Grands Vins de France à Macon : 8 silver medals, 10 bronze medals

Concours des Vins de l'Aude : 6 trophies and "Logis d'Or"

Guide Hachette : 2 Grappes de Bronze

Revue des Vins de France : 2 coups de coeurs

Articles in Decanter Magazine, Wine and Spirit International
and recognition in other reviews, guides and local competitions.

DOMAINE DES SESQUIERES - 11170 ALZONNE - Tél.: 04 68 76 00 12 DOMAINE DE CABROL - 11600 ARAGON - Tél.: 04 68 77 19 06 - Présentation détaillée Rayssac : Château Rayssac - 11600 Conques-sur-Orbiel - Tél.: +33 (0)6 09 09 88 48 - Fax : +33(0)4 68 77 02 14 Château Rayssac is located to the South of the Massif Central, on the sunny hillsides of the Montagne Noire, in sight of the Pyrenees, in what represents the heart of the Cabardès appellation. Cabardès is the only appellation to marry in equal proportions Atlantic varieties (Merlot, Cabernet) with Mediterranean varieties. This blend is the result of a dual climatic influence. The vineyards profit both from the Mediterranean sun exposure and the Atlantic hygrometry. Château Rayssac stretches over a one solid 30-hectare piece of land shaped like a natural amphitheatre. An elegant 19th century mansion, the Château Rayssac has remained in the same family since its construction. Mail - Site - Wine(s) : Cabardès CAVE COOPERATIVE DE CONQUES SUR ORBIEL - 11600 CONQUES-SUR-ORBIEL - Tél.: 04 68 77 12 90 CHATEAU VILLERAZE - 11600 CONQUES-SUR-ORBIEL - Tél.: 04 68 72 26 42 CHATEAU JOUCLARY - 11600 CONQUES-SUR-ORBIEL - Tél.: 04 68 77 10 02 CHATEAU DE SALITIS - 11600 CONQUES-SUR-ORBIEL - Tél.: 04 68 77 16 10 MAUREL ANTOINE - 11600 CONQUES-SUR-ORBIEL - Tél.: 04 68 77 16 82 Mourviels : Château Mourviels - Hélène Faussié - Serge Tonellotto - Mourviels - Festes - 11170 Moussoulens - Tél.: 04 68 24 87 94 Mail - Site - Vin(s) : Cabardès CHATEAU BOURNONVILLE - 11170 MOUSSOULENS - Tél.: 04 68 24 83 17 DOMAINE DE CAUNETTES HAUTES - 11170 MOUSSOULENS - Tél.: 04 68 24 93 15 LES CELLIER DU CABARDES - 11170 PEZENS - Tél.: 04 68 24 90 64 CHATEAU DE PENNAUTIER - CHATEAU LA BASTIDE - Vignobles Lorgeril - 11610 PENNAUTIER - Tél.: 04 68 72 65 29 DOMAINE LOUPIA - 11610 PENNAUTIER - Tél.: 04 68 24 91 77 CHATEAU VENTAILLOLE - 11610 VENTENAC-CABARDES - Tél.: 04 68 24 92 74 DOMAINE ESCOURROU - 11610 VENTENAC-CABARDES - Tél.: 04 68 24 92 30 CHATEAU DE VENTENAC - 11610 VENTENAC-CABARDES - Tél.: 04 68 24 93 42 CAVE COOPERATIVE DES COTES DU TRAPEL - 11600 VILLEGAILHENC - Tél.: 04 68 77 10 79 - Site CHATEAU DE BRAU - 11620 VILLEMOUSTAUSSOU - Tél.: 04 68 72 31 92 CHATEAU RIVALS - 11620 VILLEMOUSTAUSSOU - Tél.: 04 68 47 29 98 - Mail DOMAINE SAINT ROCH - 11620 VILLEMOUSTAUSSOU - Tél.: 04 68 78 19 32 Syndicat de l'AOC Cabardès - Le Prieuré - 11600 ARAGON - Tél.: 04 68 77 01 01 - Fax : 04 68 77 02 86 - Site CHATEAU DE MOUSSOULENS - 11290 ARZENS - Tél.: 04 68 76 71 71 CHATEAU BANCALIS - 11000 CARCASSONNE - Tél.: 04 68 25 61 94 vins-languedoc-roussillon.fr - Copyright © 1998 - 2009 - GLAD sarl - Domaine de Cantagrils - 34380 Argelliers - France - Phone : 33 (0)4 67 55 72 75 - E-mail : info@vins-languedoc-roussillon.fr - All rights reserved