Malepère

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Malepère
Vignobles midi new-de.svg
Year of establishment: 2006
Country: France
Cultivation climate: Mediterranean, Atlantic
Soil types: thin layer of clay, lime and gravel over sandstone
Planted acreage: 200 ha.
Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Côt, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Cinsault
Wine quantity: 7500 hl / 1 million bottles

The Malepère wine-growing region is located south of Carcassonne in the immediate vicinity north of the Limoux appellation in the Languedoc wine-growing region . The Cabardès wine-growing region joins in to the north . The vineyards cover around 620 hectares of vineyards in the 39 communes of Alaigne , Alairac , Arzens , Bellegarde-du-Razès , Belvèze-du-Razès , Brézilhac , Brugairolles , Cailhau , Cailhavel , Cambieure , Carcassonne, La Cassaigne , Caux-et-Sauzens , Couffoulens , La Courtète , Donazac , Fanjeaux , Fenouillet-du-Razès , Ferran , Gramazie , La Force , Hounoux , Lasserre-de-Prouille , Laurac , Lauraguel , Lavalette , Malviès , Mazerolles-du-Razès , Montclar , Montgradail , Montréal , Preixan , Roullens , Routier , Saint-Martin-de-Villereglan , Villarzel-du-Razès , Villeneuve-lès-Montréal , Villesèquelande and Villesiscleim in the Aude department . The appellation since 2 May 2007 and offers exclusively for the red and rose wine over the status of a Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC shortly) and replaced the old appellation Cotes de la Malepère.

The vineyards are located at an average height of approx. 200 m above sea level on the gentle slopes of the foothills of the Pyrenees . Because the slopes are oriented to the north, the vineyards are far more unprotected from the cold north winds than those of Cabardès. The area is also not protected against the Cers blowing from the northwest , as the air masses enter the area via the corridor of the Canal du Midi . As a result, the area is climatically the transition from the Mediterranean climate to the conditions in Aquitaine . This also affects the choice of grape varieties.

etymology

The name Malepère is a new word - derived from the Occitan word Peyre, meaning stone, and the French adjective male (meaning bad). The origin of the name has two origins: It refers to the rocky subsoil that still demands everything from man and machine today. In addition, the origin is connected to a nearby quarry, which produces particularly porous stone and can be used as an explanation for many collapsed and repaired structures from earlier times.

history

The region is shaped by the times of the early and high Middle Ages. Chapels and foundation stones, which can be traced back to the time of Charlemagne, allow these conclusions to be drawn. Numerous documents, buildings and ruins are evidence of the Inquisition and show that Cathars and Dominicans settled in the region. Today it is considered economically weak and relies more and more on agriculture and tourism.

Winemaking history

Viticulture has been an integral part of the region since the Roman colonization. Written records from the 11th century show that the bishops of Narbonne took over wine cellars in Alaigne and Routier. The Canal du Midi, built in the 17th century, also gave a new boost to the wine trade and promoted the entire region. Until the 1960s, viticulture was very intensive and the region produced very large quantities. However, this trend did not last too long and in addition to a few cooperatives, many small and quality-oriented businesses have been founded and established. Today the vineyards cover around 620 hectares of vineyards in the 39 municipalities of Alaigne, Alairac, Arzens, Bellegarde-du-Razès, Belvèze-du-Razès, Brézilhac, Brugairolles, Cailhau, Cailhavel, Cambieure, Carcassonne, La Cassaigne, Caux-et- Sauzens, Couffoulens, La Courtète, Donazac, Fanjeaux, Fenouillet-du-Razès, Ferran, Gramazie, La Force, Hounoux, Lasserre-de-Prouille, Laurac, Lauraguel, Lavalette, Malviès, Mazerolles-du-Razès, Montclar, Montgradail, Montréal, Preixan, Roullens, Routier, Saint-Martin-de-Villereglan, Villarzel-du-Razès, Villeneuve-lès-Montréal, Villesèquelande and Villesiscleim in the Aude department.

Grape varieties

In order for the wines of the Malepère region to comply with the "Appellation d'Origine Protégée", the following criteria must be met: In general, the yields are limited to 50 hectoliters per hectare. In certain years, the yield limit can be raised to 60 hectoliters per hectare. The red wines consist of the grape varieties Merlot (share at least 50%), Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The total of the last two varieties mentioned is at least 20%. The varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Grenache and Lledoner Pelut may also be used as secondary varieties. In the case of rosé wine, the leading variety is the Cabernet Franc, the proportion of which must be at least 50%. The Cabernet Franc is complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Malbec, Grenache or Merlot. The proportion of secondary varieties must be at least 20%. The planting density for new plants is at least 4400 vines / hectare. The vineyards that were planted under the old Côtes de la Malepère designation of origin may have a planting density of at least 4000 plants / hectare. The natural alcohol content of the wine must be at least 12% by volume. The issuance of the official label, which gives the wines a guarantee of origin and quality, depends on the sample and analysis of the wine. Grape varieties Eight different grape varieties are permitted in the Malepère appellation: Cabernet Sauvignon & Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Grenache, Cinsaut, Syrah, Lledoner - these are the grapes that ripen in the mild and sunny region. The selection of the grapes is essentially determined by the climatic conditions, the type of soil and the load on the land.

  • Merlot Noir: This is the dominant grape variety (50%). Very adaptable in wine production, produces a full-bodied, sweet and ripe wine, which unfolds a scent combination of red and black fruits with truffles in the nose.
  • Cabernet Franc: Very delicate grapes and aromas that are reminiscent of red ripe berries such as raspberries and black currants. The liquorice, mint and a delicate tannin structure are striking.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon: This is one of the most popular varieties in the wine world. It is very colorful, fruity and has a strong and powerful tannin structure.
  • Cinsaut: Mediterranean grape with high fruit characteristics, which are mainly used for rosé wines.
  • Malbec: It is a not very productive grape that mainly grows on poor soils. The tannins, the high color content and the enormous ripening potential are striking.
  • Grenache Noir: fruity variety that is particularly well adapted to barren and dry soils.
  • Lledoner Pelut: Related to the Grenache Noir grape, it is seldom common.
  • Syrah: Very colorful and aromatic. In the Malepère, however, this grape variety is in the minority, primarily of interest for rosé wines.

climate

The region is shaped by many special influences. Primarily the Mediterranean climate dominates, which exchanges directly with the cooler air of the Atlantic and thus ensures constant winds. It can get very cold at night, as the down winds of the nearby Pyrenees have a noticeable impact on the entire region after sunset. The rock formations warmed up by the sun, combined with the cool night time, can lead to extraordinary temperature differences within the region. This also has an effect on the aroma during the ripening process of the grapes: In white wines, ripening progresses during the day when it is hot, when it is cool, more acidity (tartaric acid and malic acid) is pronounced. This is how filigree, structured, but still substantial white wines are achieved. Another effect plays a significant role in red wines: the vine tries to protect itself from temperature differences and strengthens the grape skin. In red wines, the tannins (tannin is also a tannin) and anthocyanins (red coloring) are in the skin. The thicker the skin, the stronger the ingredients that are adapted by the resulting wine during fermentation (maceration time / maceration).

Soil condition

The character of the soil consists of a wide variety of disagreements. Usually the bare rock dominates with a thick layer of sandstone. In some areas the soil profile changes in a radius of 100 meters. Clay, granite, lime, and occasionally gneiss and slate can occur. The hills of Alaigne and Fanjeaux are striking. They consist of very fine sandstone and partly soft stone (pressed sandstone with pebbles). Locally these geological formations are called Palassou, after the pioneer of geological exploration of the Pyrenees, Pierre Bernard Palassou . Most of the viticulture is carried out on molasses-like mixed soil (molasses from Carcassonne in the east and molasses from Castelnaudary in the west). These soils come from the Second Tertiary and are of alluvial origin. This also explains the alternating layers of clay, silt and sandstone.

Wineries

Independent wineries: Chateau de Robert, Chateau de Routier, Chateau Saint Jean de Grèzes, Domaine de Girard, Domaine de Granet, Domaine de la Sapinière, Domaine Lafille, Le mas de mon Pére, www.chateaubelveze.blogspot.fr, www.chateaudecoites .com, www.chateauguilhem.com, www.domaine-de-matibat.com, www.domaine-de-peyret.fr, www.domaine-la-louviere.com, www.domainelefort.com, www.rose-paul .fr, www.souleilles.com, www.voie-romaine.com

Cooperations: www.annedejoyeuse.fr, www.cavedurazes.com, www.cavemalepere.com

Web links

literature

  • Jancis Robinson: The Oxford Wine Lexicon . Gräfe and Unzer Verlag, Munich 2003, ISBN 3-7742-0914-6 .
  • Pierre Galet: Cépages et Vignobles de France . Lavoisier Publishing House, Paris 2004, ISBN 2-7430-0585-8 .
  • Benoît France: Grand Atlas des Vignobles de France . Éditions SOLAR publishing house, Paris 2002, ISBN 2-263-03242-8 .
Languedoc wine region
classified wine-growing areas with an AOP or AOC designation of origin
AOC certified before 2002
Sparkling wines

Blanquette de Limoux (1938) • Blanquette méthode ancestrale (1938) • Crémant de Limoux (1990)

Still wines

Cabardès (AOC) (1999) • Clairette de Bellegarde (1949) • Clairette du Languedoc (1948) • Corbières (1985) • Coteaux du Languedoc (1985) • Faugères (1982) • Fitou (1948) • Languedoc-Cabrières (1985) • Languedoc-La Clape (1985) • Languedoc-Montpeyroux (1985) • Languedoc-Pénenas (1948) • Languedoc-Saint-Christobal (1985) • Minervois (1985) • Minervois-La-Livinière (1999) • Pic Saint-Loup (1994) • Saint-Chinian (1982)

Muscat wines

Muscat de Frontignan (1936) • Muscat de Lunel (1943) • Muscat de Mireval (1959) • Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois (1949)

AOC certified after 2002

Corbières-Boutenac (2005) • Languedoc-Grés de Montpellier (2003) • Languedoc-La Méjannelle (2011) • Languedoc-Quatourze (2011) • Languedoc-Saint-Christobal (2011) • Languedoc-Saint-Dézéry (2011) • Languedoc -Saint-Georges d'Orques (2011) • Languedoc-Saint-Saturnin (2011) • Languedoc-Sommières (2011) • Limoux (AOC) (2004) • Malepère (2006) • Picpoul de Pinet (2013) • Saint-Chinian -Berlou (2005) • Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun (2005) • Terrasses du Larzac (2014)


Regions not certified according to AOC or AOP

Vin de Pays (Languedoc)

The AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée) has been the protective designation since 1992, which has replaced the national designation AOC (Appellation d'Origine Controlée) in France. Regions classified as AOC before 2002 may continue to use their old designation.
The order of the regions within the groups is alphabetical.