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Webinar 6: The Atlantic Corridor

– Languedoc + 14 designations – Corbières & Fitou Corbières Boutenac – Minervois Minervois La Livinière – Saint Chinian Saint Chinian Roquebrun Saint Chinian Berlou – Faugères – Clairette du Languedoc – Picpoul de Pinet – Limoux (Still & sparkling AOCs) – Malepère – Cabardès – Muscat de Frontignan, de Lunel, de Mireval et de Saint Jean de Minervois (VDN) – Côtes du Roussillon Côtes du Roussillon Les Aspres – Côtes du Roussillon Villages Côtes du Roussillon Villages Caramany Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Côtes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel – Collioure – Muscat de Rivesaltes (VDN) – Rivesaltes (VDN) – Maury (VDN) – Maury Sec – Banyuls & Banyuls Grand Cru (VDN) AOC LANGUEDOC AOC ROUSSILLON

The Atlantic Corridor Languedoc-Roussillon Master-Level Program

In this segment… The Atlantic Corridor Cabardès Malepère Limoux

Cabardès

AOC since ,625 acres (650 ha) 90% red, 10% rosé 40% Mer/ CS/ CF and 40% Syrah/Grenache Limestone and granite 2 winds - Atlantic/Med

Cabardès North West Frontier Plains in south, rugged in north Bordeaux and Mediterranean varieties Cot, Fer Servadou and Cinsault..secondary varieties Quiet yet determined

Malepère

Red (80%), Rosé (20%) 1,250 acres (500 ha) 317,006 gallons (12,000 hl) Clay/Limestone RED : Merlot (min. 50%), Cot, Cabernet Franc (min. 20%), Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Cinsault (max 30%) Rosé : Cabernet Franc (min 50%), Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Grenache, Syrah (min 20%)

Malepère Most Westerly appellation Undulating rather than hilly Least well known Wooded in west but rest is quite open Cool and late ripening region Generally light in style, more for immediate drinking Not widely available

Limoux

90% Sparkling, 10% still 4,500 acres (1800 ha) Predominantly limestone 4 sub-zones Cool : Atlantic, Altitude and Pyrenees Strict AOC regulations

Limoux Sparkling 3 Appellations… Differ with regard to:  Grape Varieties  Ageing  Residual Sugar  Alcohol

Blanquette de Limoux Mauzac (min 90%) Chenin and Chardonnay (max 10%) Min ageing : 9 months Emphasis on fruit. Not looking for autolysis Brut and demi-sec styles

Crémant de Limoux Chardonnay (min 40%) Chenin (20-40%) Max 90% Chard/Chenin Balance PN (15%) and Mauzac (max 20% together) Min 12 months ageing Rosé permitted since 2006.

Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale Mauzac 100% 2 methods of production Original : Ferment in tank, chill partially fermented must and bottle in following March Modern : Initial ferment in tank..Transfer partially fermented must to bottle. Second ferment in bottle, disgorge BEFORE all sugar is consumed RS : g/l Alcohol : max 7% 2 months ageing min. No autolysis No dosage

4 Sub Zones - Méditerranéen Most easterly Hottest of 4 regions Warm easterly breezes Rainfall 650mm (26in) Altitude max 200m First area to be harvested

4 Sub Zones - Autan Middle of the region Around town of Limoux Driest part Rainfall 570mm (23in) Altitude max 200m Harvested just after Méditerranéen zone

4 Sub Zones - Océanique Western end of region Most Atlantic influence Cool and windy Rainfall 780mm (31in) Altitude max 300m Harvested 2 weeks Méditerranéen zone

4 Sub Zones – Haute Vallée Southern end of region Close to Pyrenees Coolest and highest zone Rainfall 750mm (30in) Altitude max 500m Long growing season

White Limoux 3 grape varieties : Chardonnay, Chenin and Mauzac Hand harvested Barrel fermented No co-fermentation Barrel aged, min 7 months 15% Mauzac in vineyard Trailer max 3 tonnes (6600 pounds)

Red Limoux 7 grape varieties : Merlot (50%), Cot,Syrah, Grenache (30%), Carignan (max 10%), CF and CS (0-20%) Less strict rules than white Must be blend 3 varieties Ageing in tank or barrel Pinot Noir NOT permitted 150 hectares planted

Final thoughts Cabardès : currently unknown but potential for high quality wine Malepère : Good without being top quality. Needs a flagship estate to raise profile Limoux : Excellent sparklings Some of best white wines in Languedoc ‘Best French Chardonnay outside Burgundy’ Reds more variable Pinot Noir : an enigma. Not allowed under AOC, some very good examples under IGP