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Languedoc Wines- an overview
By: miki bowditch	<< back   Page 2 of 2

Moving from Narbonne towards Carcassonne, the climate changes with the Atlantic influences becoming increasingly predominant. The dynamic appellation of Cabardès, north of Carcassonne, illustrates this climatic shift. The wines have to made from a blend of ‘atlantic’ (ie Bordeaux) varieties such as cabernet sauvignon, franc, merlot and malbec with Mediterranean varieties, the usual suspects Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvedre. The wines combine the blackcurranty fruitiness and elegance of Bordeaux with the spice and breadth of the Mediterranean. Pennautier makes very polished Cabardès but Domaine Cabrol, Domaine O and Domaine Jouclary are also making waves. Cotes de La Malpere is similar to Cabardès in that it is a cocktail of Atlantic and Mediterranean grapes with the difference that Bordeaux varieties predominate and Carignan is forbidden. The Co-operative of Razes dominates production but a few small produces are starting to make their mark.

Limoux is cool climate Languedoc and is justly famous for its sparkling wines which it has been making for 100s of years. Indeed locals claim the ‘champagne’ was invented in Limoux, well before Dom Perignon worked out how to get bubbles to stay in wine. Blanquette de Limoux in the traditional fizz and is made from the Mauzac grape with chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Cremant de Limoux is a slightly more modern style and is largely with Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay with a dash of Pinot Noir. Another local speciality is methode ancestrale which is slightly sweet and fizzy made exclusively from Mauzac. Limoux is also well known for its still wines made from Chardonnay, cleverly promoted by an annual auction ‘toques et clochers’ where top chefs encourage the bidding for barrels of chardonnay.

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