Corbières is an

Appellation d'origine contrôlée An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical indication primarily used to identify where the grapes for a wine were grown, although other types of food often have appellations as well. Restrictions other than geographical bo ...

(AOC) for

wine Wine is an alcoholic drink typically made from fermented grapes. Yeast consumes the sugar in the grapes and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Different varieties of grapes and strains of yeasts are ...

in the

Languedoc-Roussillon Languedoc-Roussillon (; oc, Lengadòc-Rosselhon ; ca, Llenguadoc-Rosselló) is a former administrative region of France. On 1 January 2016, it joined with the region of Midi-Pyrénées to become Occitania. It comprised five departments, and b ...

, France, and it is this region's largest AOC, responsible for 46 per cent of the region's AOC wine production in 2005. Red wine dominates the production in Corbières with almost 95 per cent, with 3.5 per cent rosé wine and 2 per cent white wine making up the balance.Syndicat de l'AOC Corbières: Les chiffres cles
, accessed on October 27, 2011

Carignan Carignan (also known as Mazuelo, Bovale Grande, Cariñena, Carinyena, Samsó, Carignane, and Carignano) is a red grape variety of Spanish origin that is more commonly found in French wine but is widely planted throughout the western Medite ...

is the most common grape variety. The AOC was created in 1985, covers of vineyards and produces an average of 554,000 hectoliters of wine per year, corresponding to 74 million bottles. Due to its size and geography, Corbières encompasses an enormous variety of soil types and

microclimate A microclimate (or micro-climate) is a local set of atmospheric conditions that differ from those in the surrounding areas, often with a slight difference but sometimes with a substantial one. The term may refer to areas as small as a few squa ...

s. The wines from the region tend to be just as varied as the ''

terroir (, ; from ''terre'', "land") is a French term used to describe the environmental factors that affect a crop's phenotype, including unique environment contexts, farming practices and a crop's specific growth habitat. Collectively, these contex ...

''. The region also experiences widely varied winds. The dry, Atlantic vent Cers frequently brings cold weather from the northwest while the area is normally under the influence of the warm, Mediterranean vent Marin.

Geographical division

The Corbières AOC consists of 11 ''terroirs'': # Montagne d'Alaric # Saint Victor # Fontfroide # Queribus # Boutenac # Termenès # Lézignan # Lagrasse # Sigean # Durban # Serviès Boutenac was elevated to its own AOC under the designation Corbières-Boutenac in 2005. List of the communes within the AOC area: *

Arrondissement of Carcassonne The arrondissement of Carcassonne is an arrondissement of France in the Aude department in the Occitanie région. Its INSEE code is 111 and its capital city is Carcassonne. It has 186 communes. Its population is 159,539 (2016), and its area is . ...

Canton of Capendu Canton may refer to: Administrative division terminology * Canton (administrative division), territorial/administrative division in some countries, notably Switzerland * Township (Canada), known as ''canton'' in Canadian French Arts and ent ...

; the following communes: ***

Barbaira Barbaira (; oc, Barbairan) is a commune in the Aude department in the Occitanie region of southern France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Barbairanais'' or ''Barbairanaises''. Geography Barbaira is located in the Corbières Ma ...

Capendu Capendu (; oc, Campendut) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Etymology Mentioned in the form Campendud 1071. Occitan “sloping field”, “inclined field”. Fortuitous homophony with Capendu, hamlet of Blainville-Crev ...

, Comigne,

Douzens Douzens is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. The communes cooper ...

, Floure, Fontiès-d'Aude, Montirat,

Monze Monze is a small town (population 30,000) in the Southern Province of Zambia and is about 180 km south-west of Lusaka. It is the administrative centre of Monze District.Moux, ** Canton de Lagrasse; the following communes: *** Arquettes-en-Val, Caunettes-en-Val, Labastide-en-Val,

Lagrasse Lagrasse (; oc, La Grassa) is a commune in the Aude department in the Occitanie region of Southern France. In 2016, it had a population of 560. Lagrasse is part of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The most beautiful villages of France") ...

, Mayronnes, Montlaur,

Pradelles-en-Val Pradelles-en-Val (; Languedocien dialect, Languedocien: ''Pradèlas en Val'') is a former Communes of France, commune in the Aude Departments of France, department in southern France. On 1 January 2019, it was merged into the new commune Val-de- ...

, Ribaute,

Rieux-en-Val Rieux-en-Val (; oc, Rius en Val) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. It is located approximately halfway between Carcasonne and Perpignan. Population See also *Corbières AOC *Communes of the Aude department The followi ...

, Saint-Pierre-des-Champs,

Serviès-en-Val Serviès-en-Val () is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. The communes ...

Talairan Talairan () is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. The communes coope ...

Taurize Taurize (; oc, Taurisa) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. The ...

Tournissan Tournissan (; oc, Tornissan) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. ...

, Villar-en-Val and

Villetritouls Villetritouls is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. The communes coo ...

. **

Canton de Mouthoumet Canton may refer to: Administrative division terminology * Canton (administrative division), territorial/administrative division in some countries, notably Switzerland * Township (Canada), known as ''canton'' in Canadian French Arts and ente ...

; the following communes: ***

Davejean Davejean (; oc, Davejan) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. History Davejean was founded as a small keep at the head of the village, in the heart of the area inhabited by the Cathars. Population See also * Corbière ...

Dernacueillette Dernacueillette (; oc, Dernaculheta) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of F ...

Félines-Termenès Félines-Termenès (; oc, Felinas de Termenés) is a Communes of France, commune in the Aude Departments of France, department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department References

...

Laroque-de-Fa Laroque-de-Fa (; oc, La Ròca de Fan) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of F ...

Palairac Palairac () is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. The communes c ...

Termes Termes may refer to: People * Dick Termes, American artist * Josep Termes (1936–2011), Spanish historian * Rafael Termes (1918–2005), Spanish banker Places Belgium * Termes, Wallonia, a district of the municipality of Chiny France * Terme ...

Vignevieille Vignevieille (; Languedocien: ''Vinhavièlha'') is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Its inhabitants are called ''Vignevieillais''. Geography The commune is located in the Corbières Massif. The village lies on the right ban ...

and

Villerouge-Termenès Villerouge-Termenès (; Languedocien: ''Vilaroja de Termenés'') is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières Massif * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of th ...

Arrondissement of Narbonne The arrondissement of Narbonne is an arrondissement of France in the Aude department in the Occitanie région. Its INSEE code is 113 and its capital city is Narbonne. It has 109 communes. Its population is 165,940 (2016), and its area is . It is t ...

Canton of Narbonne-Ouest Canton may refer to: Administrative division terminology * Canton (administrative division), territorial/administrative division in some countries, notably Switzerland * Township (Canada), known as ''canton'' in Canadian French Arts and ent ...

; the following communes: ***

Bizanet Bizanet (; Languedocien: ''Bisanet'') is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Château de Gaussan is located in the commune. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list o ...

, Canet-d'Aude, Montredon-des-Corbières,

Narbonne Narbonne (, also , ; oc, Narbona ; la, Narbo ; Late Latin:) is a commune in Southern France in the Occitanie region. It lies from Paris in the Aude department, of which it is a sub-prefecture. It is located about from the shores of the M ...

and Névian. **

Canton of Narbonne-Sud Canton may refer to: Administrative division terminology * Canton (administrative division), territorial/administrative division in some countries, notably Switzerland * Township (Canada), known as ''canton'' in Canadian French Arts and ente ...

; the commune of : Bages **

Canton of Coursan The canton of Les Basses Plaines de l'Aude (before 2015: ''canton of Coursan'') is an administrative unit in the Aude department, southern France. Its seat is in the town Coursan. The canton consists of 6 communes: *Armissan *Coursan *Cuxac-d'Aude ...

; ''la commune de''

Gruissan Gruissan (; oc, Grussan) is a commune A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to: Administrative-territorial entities * Commune (administrative division), ...

. **

Canton of Sigean Canton may refer to: Administrative division terminology * Canton (administrative division), territorial/administrative division in some countries, notably Switzerland * Township (Canada), known as ''canton'' in Canadian French Arts and ente ...

: (the whole canton) ***

Caves A cave or cavern is a natural void in the ground, specifically a space large enough for a human to enter. Caves often form by the weathering of rock and often extend deep underground. The word ''cave'' can refer to smaller openings such as sea ...

Feuilla Feuilla (; oc, Fulhan) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. The c ...

Fitou Fitou (; oc, Fitor) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population Wine Fitou has a red wine appellation; see Fitou AOC. See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the ...

La Palme The Sieur de la Palme was the Governor of Plaisance (nowadays Placentia) in the New-France (french: Nouvelle-France) colony in Newfoundland from 1667 to 1670. In 1667, the King of France, Louis XIV, learns of the irresponsible behaviour of th ...

, Leucate,

Peyriac-de-Mer Peyriac-de-Mer (, literally ''Peyriac of Sea''; oc, Peiriac de Mar) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 commun ...

Port-la-Nouvelle Port-la-Nouvelle (; oc, La Novèla) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of Fra ...

, Portel-des-Corbières,

Roquefort-des-Corbières Roquefort-des-Corbières is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. The co ...

, Sigean and Treilles. **

Canton of Tuchan Canton may refer to: Administrative division terminology * Canton (administrative division), territorial/administrative division in some countries, notably Switzerland * Township (Canada), known as ''canton'' in Canadian French Arts and ent ...

: (the whole canton) *** Cucugnan, Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, Maisons, Montgaillard,

Padern Padern (; Languedocien: ''Padèrn'') is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population Monuments *The Château de Padern is a ruined castle that stands on a hill overlooking the village. See also * Corbières AOC * Commune ...

, Paziols,

Rouffiac-des-Corbières Rouffiac-des-Corbières (Languedocien: ''Rofiac de las Corbièras'') is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes ...

and Tuchan **

Canton of Durban-Corbières Canton may refer to: Administrative division terminology * Canton (administrative division), territorial/administrative division in some countries, notably Switzerland * Township (Canada), known as ''canton'' in Canadian French Arts and ente ...

: (the whole canton) *** Albas,

Cascastel-des-Corbières Cascastel-des-Corbières (; oc, Caçcastèl de las Corbièras) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Amenities include a post office, a primary school, and a town hall with a municipal government. The locals are known as th ...

Coustouge Coustouge (; oc, Costoja) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. The ...

Durban-Corbières Durban-Corbières (; oc, Durban de las Corbièras) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population Sights * Jardin botanique Méditerrannéen See also * Château de Durban * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude depar ...

Embres-et-Castelmaure Embres-et-Castelmaure is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. The com ...

, Fontjoncouse,

Fraissé-des-Corbières Fraissé-des-Corbières is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population Sports There is a boules ground in the village. See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 ...

, Jonquières, Quintillan, Saint-Jean-de-Barrou,

Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse (; oc, Sant Laurenç de la Cabrerissa) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 comm ...

Thézan-des-Corbières Thézan-des-Corbières is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. The co ...

, Villeneuve-les-Corbières and

Villesèque-des-Corbières Villesèque-des-Corbières is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude department of France. Th ...

Canton of Lézignan-Corbières Canton may refer to: Administrative division terminology * Canton (administrative division), territorial/administrative division in some countries, notably Switzerland * Township (Canada), known as ''canton'' in Canadian French Arts and ent ...

; the following communes: ***

Boutenac Boutenac (; oc, Botenac) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Church In 1850, a French female artist named Béloya Collin gave a painting of Christ on a cross to the church of Boutenac.COMMISSION DE RÉCOLEMENT DES DÉPÔTS ...

Camplong-d'Aude Camplong-d'Aude (; oc, Camplong d'Aude) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population Geography The river Orbieu forms most of the commune's southern border. See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department ...

Conilhac-Corbières Conilhac-Corbières is a Communes of France, commune in the Aude Departments of France, department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department References

Communes of Aude Aude comm ...

, Cruscades,

Escales Escales (; oc, Escalas) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France, principally involved in viticulture. Geography Escales lies in the northernmost part of the Corbières AOC wine growing area 30 km from Narbonne to the east ...

, Fabrezan,

Ferrals-les-Corbières Ferrals-les-Corbières is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Geography The river Orbieu flows northeast through the western part of the commune and crosses the village. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of th ...

, Fontcouverte, Lézignan-Corbières, Luc-sur-Orbieu,

Montbrun-des-Corbières Montbrun-des-Corbières (''Montbrun'' in Occitan) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of the Aude depar ...

, Montséret, Ornaisons,

Saint-André-de-Roquelongue Saint-André-de-Roquelongue (; oc, Sant Andrieu de Ròcalonga) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 communes of ...

Appellation regulations

A large number of varieties are allowed in Corbières wine, but regulations restrict the proportions planted in the vineyards and (separately) in the wine. The authorised grape varieties are indicated below.AOC regulations for Corbières
consolidated version of 31 October 2009 Principal or main grape varieties for the respective colour are incated by "X" and secondary or subsidiary varieties by "(X)". For ''red wines'', a minimum of two grape varieties must be grown. Grenache, Lledoner Pelut, Mourvèdre and Syrah (the main grape varieties with the exception of Carignan) must together make up at least 50 per cent of the vineyard plantings. Carignan, Picquepoul noir, and Terret noir can together not make up more than 50 per cent of the plantings. A maximum of 20 per cent Cinsaut and a maximum of 10 per cent Grenache gris is allowed. For ''rosé wines'', a minimum of two grape varieties must be grown. Grenache, Lledoner Pelut, Mourvèdre, Picquepoul noir and Syrah must together make up at least 25 per cent of the plantings. A maximum of 75 per cent Cinsaut is allowed. Carignan, Grenache gris and Terret noir can together not make up more than 50 per cent of the plantings. A maximum of 10 per cent Grenache gris is allowed. For white wines at least two grape varieties must also be grown. Secondary varieties may not together make up more than 10 per cent of the plantings. But the blend of grapes used in making the wine does not have to match the vineyard planting. For example, red wine must be made from a blend of at least two varieties, of which at least one must be a principal variety. The principal variety/ies must represent at least 40% of the blend. No single variety can make up more than 80% of the wine. The requirements are the same for rosé wine. In the case of white wine there must be at least two varieties, with the principal variety/ies making up at least 40% of the blend, but there is no maximum percentage for a single variety.

References

External links

Syndicat de l'AOC Corbières
(official producers' organisation) {{DEFAULTSORT:Corbieres Aoc Languedoc-Roussillon wine AOCs Aude