Corbières is one of the largest wine appellation in France. To distinguish the wines, Corbières is divided into 11 terroirs such as Sigean, Lézignan, Boutenac and Lagrasse.
The "terroirs" produce mainly red wines. The grape variety is Carignan for about 50%. More and more wine are made in oak barrels. It demonstrates the path taken towards quality by wine makers in Corbières for about a century.
Red wines are rich and, spicy, full body and fruity. Although competing now with Coteaux du Languedoc and Saint Chinian, Corbières wines still offer good value.
Corbières wine information:
Name:
Appellation Corbières Controlée
Location:
Between the cities of Carcassonne, Perpignan and Béziers
Places:
Sigean, Gruissan, Lézignan, Boutenac, Lagrasse, Thézan des Corbiéres, Roquefort des Corbières, etc
Soil:
Limestone, marl, sandstone
Size: 15,500 ha (38,300 acres)
Production:
70 million bottles
95% red wine
Grapes:
Red and Rosé:
Grenache
Syrah
Carignan
Mourvèdre
Cinsault
White:
Bourboulenc
Maccabeu
Grenache blanc
Marsanne
Type of wines:
Spicy full body red wine
Age: Red:
3 to 7 years
Vintages(recommended) :
2001, 2000, 1998
Aromas:
Black fruits
Licorice
Thyme
Food:
Grilled red meat
Game paté (hare, pheasant, etc)
Feathered game
Cheese:
Mountain goat cheese
Laguiole
Pélardon
Cheddar
