AOC/AOP Regulations
Département
- Hérault
Subzones (Geographic Designations)
- Berlou, Roquebrun (both are for rouge wines only)
Communes of Production
- Assignan, Babeau-Bouldoux, Berlou, Causses-et-Veyran, Cazedarnes, Cébazan, Cessenon, Creissan, Cruzy, Ferrières-Poussarou, Murviel-lès-Béziers, Pierrerue, Prades-sur-Vernazobre, Puisserguier, Quarante, Roquebrun, Saint-Chinian, Saint-Nazaire-de-Ladarez, Vieussan, Villespassans
Size
- 3,126 ha
Styles and Encépagement
- Blanc:
- Principal Varieties (Max. 70% each): Min. 30% Grenache Blanc, plus Marsanne, Roussanne, and Vermentino
- Accessory Varieties: Max. 10% combined Clairette, Carignan Blanc, and Viognier
- Macabeu (planted before 1998) and Bourboulenc (planted before 2005) are authorized as accessory varieties
- Rosé:
- Principal Varieties: Min. 70% Grenache, Lladoner Pelut (min. 20% combined Grenache and Lladoner Pelut), Mourvèdre, and Syrah (min. 20% combined Mourvèdre and Syrah)
- Accessory Varieties: Carignan and Cinsault
- Rouge: As for Rosé
- Saint-Chinian „Berlou“ Rouge:
- Principal Varieties: Min. 60% combined Grenache (min. 20%), Syrah (min. 20%) and Mourvèdre
- Complementary Variety: Min. 30% Carignan
- Saint-Chinian „Roquebrun“ Rouge:
- Principal Varieties: Min. 25% Syrah and min. 20% Grenache (min. 70% combined Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre)
- Accessory Varieties: Carignan, plus max. 30% Mourvèdre
Assemblage
- Blanc: Min. 2 varieties, and principal varieties must account for the majority of the blend. Grenache Blanc must be present.
- Rosé/Rouge: Min. 2 varieties, and principal varieties must account for the majority of the blend.
- „Berlou“ Rouge: Min. 2 varieties, and principal varieties must account for at least 40% of the blend. Carignan must account for at least 10% of the blend.
- „Roquebrun“ Rouge: Min. 2 varieties, and principal varieties must account for the majority of the blend.
Minimum Potential Alcohol
- St-Chinian: 12%
- St-Chinian (with geographical designation): 12.5%
Minimum Must Weight
- St-Chinian: 198 g/l
- St-Chinian (with geographical designation): 207 g/l (214 g/l for „Berlou“ Carignan)
Maximum Residual Sugar
- Blanc/Rosé: 4 g/l
- Rouge: 3 g/l (4 g/l if potential alcohol is greater than 14%)
Harvest Method
- Grapes for „Berlou“ and „Roquebrun“ must be harvested manually.
Élevage
- Berlou and Roquebrun wines may not be released until December 1 of the year following the harvest.
Additional Requirements
- Égrappage (destemming) is mandatory for „Berlou“ wines
Minimum Planting Density
- 4,000 vines per hectare
Maximum Yield (Rendement de Base)
- Rosé: 50 hl/ha
- Rouge/Blanc: 45 hl/ha
- Berlou/Roquebrun: 40 hl/ha
AOC Established
- 1982 (last updated 2011)
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