Appellation in the south of the French wine-growing region Languedoc from Narbonne on the Mediterranean coast about 50 kilometres inland. To the south of it is the AOC Fitou, to the north the AOC Minervois. It was classified as an AOC in 1985 and belongs to the second quality category "Grands Vins du Languedoc". The vineyards cover around 13,500 hectares of vines with a variety of soil types including slate, sandstone, limestone and marl. They extend over 87 communes in the Département of Aude. There are efforts to divide up the large appellation. Already used internally today are the four zones Hautes-Corbières, Corbières-Méditerranée, Corbières Centrales and Corbières d'Alaric, or the eleven subzones Boutenac, Durban, Fontfroide, Lagrasse, Lézignan, Montagne d'Alaric, Quéribus, Saint-Victor, Serviès, Sigean and Termenès.
In 2005, the small Corbières-Boutenac area, located in the centre, was classified as an independent AOC. The red wine is classified in the highest quality category "Crus du Languedoc".
The 90% red wine is blended from at least 2 of the 4 main grape varieties Carignan Noir (Mazuelo), Grenache Noir (Garnacha Tinta), Syrah and Mourvèdre (Monastrell), as well as Lladoner Pelut (Garnacha Peluda), Piquepoul Noir and Cinsaut. A maximum of 10% white varieties may also be used for the rosé. The white wine is made from Grenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanca), Macabeu (Macabeo), Roussanne, Marsanne and Vermentino.
Well-known producers are Château Aguilloux, Château d'Aussières, Château la Baronne, Château Beauregard Mirouze, Château le Bouïs, Domaine de Fontsainte, Château de Lastours, Château de Luc Les Rives, Château des Ollieux, Château les Palais, Château la Voulte-Gasparets, Domaine du Vieux Parc and Domaine de Villemajou.
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