Cabardès
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Accessory grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- Terroir laid out as a sloping balcony facing the Aude valley, backed by the Montagne Noire (Pic de Nore, 1,211 m), extending over an area of 20 km × 12 km.
- Soils are invariably stony: clay-sand over schist, granitic arenas over gneiss, red/marly over causses, sandy-silty over molasses, leached over river terraces.
- Peri-Mediterranean climate with Atlantic influences: a short summer dry period (averaging 15 July–10 August), which preserves the soil's water reserves.
Human factors
- A unique encépagement: a minimum of 40% Atlantic varieties AND a minimum of 40% Mediterranean varieties — the only appellation to mandate this dual balance.
Product characteristics
- Reds: deep colour, aromas of black and candied fruits with liquorice notes evolving toward leather, and round tannins.
- Rosés: a light, luminous robe, red-fruit aromas, a supple palate balancing roundness and freshness, and a fruity finish.
Terroir / wine link
- Mediterranean varieties are planted on warm, dry sites and Atlantic varieties on cooler ones: it is this alliance that expresses itself in the distinctive character of the wines.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Sources
- Product specification (BO Agri, PDF), JORF 13 septembre 2016
- Official INAO text (show_texte)
- INAO product entry
- Official trade body site — CIVL