Literally translated La Clape means the rock- so no sniggering please.It is the first part of the Aude that you see when you are driving down the Languedocienne Autoroute (A9) or taking the train from Paris or Lille rising up between you and the Med. 15,000 hectares of hills overlooking the sea with its own microclimate. Aleppo, umbrella and sea pines cover the slopes and there is a garrigue covered plateau of rosemary, thyme, lavender, and holly and apple oaks. A large part is now a nature reserve and development is sparse. The hills are criss-crossed with well marked paths making it ideal walking country with splendid views of the etangs-lagoons, the sea and, on a clear day, the Pyrenees. The bird watching is superb especially as migration time.

The river Aude flows into the Med at the most North Easterly point resort of les cabanes de Fleury, further along the post are the other resorts of St. Pierre-sur-Mer, Narbonne-Plage and over in neighbouring Corbieres, Gruissan. The beautiful village of Fleury d'Aude is also well worth a visit. The walk up to Chapel of Notre-Dame des Auzils is particularly poignant with its path of memorials to local sailors lost at sea.

In the past an island, traces of prehistoric man have been found and it is still possible to find discarded stone axe heads and arrow points, in Roman times this was the location of numerous luxury villas over looking the thriving port of Narbo Maritus , Narbonne.

La Clape Wines

La Clape falls under the Coteaux du Languedoc AOC. Indeed it is only one of two whites that does. The majority grape for the white is Bourboulenc giving it a real depth of flavour and benefits from a few years aging. This small area squeezed as it is between the Corbieres and the Coteaux main producers still manages to make some much sought after wines. Full bodied reds, slightly more costly whites and some light and enjoyable rose perfect to go with a seafood lunch or as a refreshing afternoon tipple on a sunny terrace.

Look out particularly for the following Labels:

Château de Complazens, Château Moutjan, Château Pech-Céleyran, Château Pech Rédon, Domaine de la Rivière-le-Haut, Château de Ricardelle de la Clape, Château Rouquette-sur-Mer, Domaine de Terre Megre, Domaine de Vires.

Related Links
Wines of La Clape
Gruissan