Coteaux de Peyriac

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The Coteaux de Peyriac appellation extends across 24 communes, 22 of which lie in the Aude and 2 in the Hérault, at the heart of the Minervois, traversed by the rivers Clamoux and Argent Double.
• The most characteristic soils are divided between gravelly Quaternary terraces to the north and west, relatively flat at a mean altitude of around 100 metres, eroded sandstone and sandy marls in the central zone, and calcareous sandstone to the west, with the sandstone zones presenting predominantly south and south/west-facing aspects at a mean altitude of around 150 metres.
• The Mediterranean climate is characterised by a mean annual rainfall of 600 millimetres, a mean annual temperature above 14°C, and annual sunshine in excess of 2,400 hours.
• The north-westerly wind known as the Cers, often violent and generally dry, generates oceanic precipitation on contact with the Montagne Noire, principally in autumn and spring.
• The landscape alternates between broad plains around the Quaternary terraces and watercourses, rolling areas of sandstone or mourels (hills of eroded sandstone), and hillsides dotted with garrigue, Aleppo pines, and holm oaks.

• The Canal du Midi, completed at the end of the seventeenth century, crosses the Coteaux de Peyriac area from end to end over more than 40 kilometres and had a significant economic impact as a transport route.
• Production was first organised collectively through the cooperative movement of the 1930s, then recognised as Vin de pays des Coteaux de Peyriac by the decree of 25 January 1982.
• The former Vin de pays des Hauts de Badens joined the PGI as a smaller geographical unit, retaining its specific identity linked to the commune of Badens and its blended wines.

• Current production stands at around 80,000 hectolitres, mainly red wines, produced by 25 private cellars and 9 cooperative cellars.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Dénominations géographiques complémentaires

• Coteaux de Peyriac Haut de Badens PGI

All appellations in France

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF) — approved 28 octobre 2011, JORF 11 novembre 2011
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — Confédération des Vins IGP de France