AOC/AOP Regulations
Département
- Aude
Communes of Production (Geographic Designations)
- Armissan, Fleury d’Aude, Gruissan, Narbonne, Salles d’Aude, Vinassan.
Size
- 2,421 planted hectares (2015)
Styles and Encépagement
- Blanc: Minimum 40% Bourboulenc. Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc together make up 60% of the vineyard. Other accepted varieties include Clairette Blanc, Marsanne, Piquepoul Blanc, Roussanne, Vermentino, Macabeu Blanc, Terret Blanc, and a maximum 10% Viognier.
- Rouge: Min. 70% combined Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah. Grenache must account for at least 20% of the vineyard, and no single variety may make up more than 70%. Maximum 30% combined Carignan and Cinsault.
- The above provisions do not apply to growers with less than 1.5 ha, provided the main varieties account for at least 50% of the vineyard.
Assemblage
- Blanc: Minimum 30% Bourboulenc, maximum 10% Viognier. No single variety may account for more than 80% of the blend.
- Rouge: Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah must make up the majority of the blend. No single variety may account for more than 70% of the blend.
Minimum Alcohol
- Blanc: 12%
- Rouge: 12.5%
Minimum Must Weights
- Blanc: 198 g/l
- Rouge: 207 g/l
Residual Sugar
- Blanc: 4 g/l
- Rouge: 3 g/l
Élevage
- Rouge wines must be in élevage until at least August 15 of the year following harvest.
Minimum Planting Density
- 4,400 vines per hectare
Maximum Yield (Rendement de Base)
- Blanc: 52 hl/ha
- Rouge: 42 hl/ha
AOC Established
- 2015
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