Corbières

The Corbières appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) extends from the outskirts of Carcassonne to the former island of Leucate, from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the foot of the Montagne Noire. The Corbières wine region covers approximately 13,500 hectares, allowing for an annual production of around 550,000 hectoliters.

The Corbières wine region forms a vast quadrilateral where traces of an eventful geological history can be seen. The Corbières vineyards are planted on predominantly clay-limestone soils, with variations depending on the terroir: red sandstone in Boutenac, stony terraces in Lézignan, gray marl in Quéribus and Serviès, schist in the Hautes Corbières, and coral limestone on the Mediterranean coast. The Corbières appellation is subject to Mediterranean influence, which can be seen in the typical garrigue vegetation to the east. Some of the westernmost terroirs are influenced by the ocean.

Corbières wines, produced in three colors (red, rosé, and white), are made from Carignan (maximum 50%), Syrah, Grenache Noir, Lladoner Pelut, Mourvèdre, Piquepoul Noir, Cinsault, and Terret Noir for reds and rosés. Corbières white wines are made from Bourboulenc—known locally as Malvoisie—Grenache blanc, Maccabeu, Clairette, Muscat (maximum 10%), Piquepoul, Terret blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Rolle, and Vermentino. Traditional vinification methods are used for reds and whites, with no bleeding or direct pressing for rosés. These grape varieties are expertly cultivated by Château d'Aussières, Château Vieux Moulin, Domaine Maxime Magnon and Château La Voulte-Gasparets.