red vines
Cabernet Sauvignon
Since the eighties this vine is first of all grown in the Pays d'Oc, nowadays
forming part of Occitania's pure red wines. In the hot climate of the Roussillon
and Languedoc this vine's grapes are perfect for vinificating red wines
with tastes of berries and spices. Only in Cabardes and Côte de Malepére
it forms part of the local appellation.
Carignan
is the major vine of the South of France, still covering half of the arable
acreage of all vines, even though it is lacking in importance. It is of
Spanish origin, from the city ofr Carinena, and was spread to Roussillon
and Europe during the 12th century. Its advantage is the great harvesting
quantity, but only the old vines - first of all on slade soil - can produces
grapes which are suitable for the production of concentrated wines of high
tannins, with a taste of herbs, spices and berries.
Cinsault
It is a traditional Mediterrenean vine, which is cultivated in Languedoc
for hundreds of years, also forming part of the cuvées for Châteneuf-du-Pape. If well ripened the aromatic wines of full body are used for the cuvées,
bestowing fruit, finesse and structure to the red wines; anyhow only little
colour.
Grenache Noir
A high quality vine for red wines and rosé wines from which wines
with a lot of alcohol contents and a taste of fruit are vinificated. It
likes dry soil and wind, anyhow it may oxidate very easily. The wines are fruity
and structured; the rosé wines being very aromatic.
Merlot
The intend was to plant this high quality vine and to improve the local
« Vin de Pays », but now it is even outdoing the Cabernet. In any case, in this hot
climate Merlot will never produce really great wines.
Mourvèdre
A vine of Catalan origin, with excellent tannins and which allows a long
storage period and adds finesse to the red wines. But this vine requires
a lot of heat and moisture and it must reach at least 12 % vol. alcohol
to be able to develop its fascinating complexity.
Petite Syrah
This vine does not belong to the family of the Syrah vines, it is assumed
that its origin is the historical vine Allobrogica. The name Petite
Syrah stands also for a cuvée of various types of red grapes. There
are only a few vineyards in France where this vine is grown. The red wines
are rich of tannins.
Syrah
One of the historic, ancient vines with aromatic grapes. In cuvées
it improves the quality of the wines. It was these Syrah wines vinificated
in barrique oaks, which were responsible for the international success of
the vines from the South of France. These wines are intense with a taste
of berries and licorice.