Les Corbieres is the largest wine growing area of the Aude. Streching from the Southern banks of the Aude to the foot hills of the Pyrennes and down to the etangs the Corbiere massif is a breathtaking spread of vine filled plains and garrigue and oak covered hills. Peppered with fortresses like Villerouge Termines and Durfort and abbeys like Frontfroide and Lagrasse the Corbieres is a truely stunning part of the world.

The Corbieres achieved AOC status in 1985, by this time the area of vines had reduced down to approx 23,000 hectares (around 57,000 acres) from a height of double that. Famous for its Reds there have been some great steps forward with both it Whites and Rose. The introduction of new oak barrels- look out for "Eleve en Chene" on the labels have added a greater density of flavour to some of the better Reds with some interesting experiments going on with Chardonney in the Servies region. The area also produces some delicous biological wine.

So diverse is the landscape that it is usually broken up into 11 distinctive areas which each have their own climate and landscape. A great place to start exploring the wines of the area is at the Maison des Vignerons des Corbieres which is the home of the winegrowers association in the heart of the Boutenac area. Each March they hold a competition to choose the best wines from the area, most of the winning wines are available to buy at the Chateau. The soft flowing hills of the Boutenac area is particularly good for the Mourvedre grape. Durban in the South pushing up against the Fitou appellation, an area of steep sided hills with vineyards clinging to the sides and crowded into the narrow valleys.Frondfroide is a mixed area streching from Narbonne over to Portel, resting alongside Boutenac they both benefit from very low rainfall which apparently is good for the Mourvedre. Lagrasse, a beautiful sheltered limestone valley on the banks of the Orbieu. Lezignan Corbieres is the northern most area of stony plains grouped around the friendly market town. Montagne d'Alaric who's steep gravel slopes over limestone provide superb drainage for the vineyards. Queribus in the South, steep sided vineyards under the shadow of the fabulous fortress. St. Victor Servies, the wettest part of the area with its lush rolling pastures and water eroded hills. The coastal area of Sigean stretches from Gruissan to Port la Nouvelle and is particularly good for the Syrah grape. The highest vineyards are to be found around Termenès with its magnifient castles and views.

For the technically minded the AOC has strict stipluations on the type and quantity of grape varieties to be used. Red wine, depending on the area must have a maximum between 40 and 60% of Cerignan and a minimum of 25-35% Grenache, Lladoner pelut and syrah, in addition Mourvèdre, Picpoul, Terret. A maximum of 20% Cinsault, with Macabéo and Bourboulenc limited to the level of Carignan- with me so far? White must be 50% of Bourboulenc, Grenache blanc and Macabéo, plus Clairette, Muscat blanc, Picpoul, Terret, Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermenino.

Boutenac
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