“At the gates of Narbonne,
a vineyard by the Mediterranean. ”
Clape
Production centres: Armissan, Fleury d’Aude, Salles-d’Aude, Vinassan, Narbonne. Annual production :40 360 hl of which 26 282 hl under the La Clape label Soil :Hard limestone, red stony clay, stones and boulders, scree covered slopes between pines and cliffs Climate :strong sunshine with low rainfall, wind and maritime influence
Six hundred years ago, the steep la Clape mountain range was an island. It was covered with lakes too, which is why it was known as “insula laci” or the “mountain of lakes”. You can still see traces of their dried beds today.
Over the centuries, alluvial sediment carried from the river’s source in the Pyrenees gradually linked the island with the mainland. The modern name ‘la Clape’ comes from the Occitan meaning “a heap of pebbles”.
Towards the end of the second century BC, the Romans colonized La Clape. Julius Caesar rewarded some of his best troops with land there, so obviously they planted vines.
And, whilst red and rosé wines are produced in La Clape, it’s especially known for its white which is made from a minimum of 60% Bourboulenc (also known as Malvoisie). In Greek mythology, those who drank Malvoisie became wise. It was kept in giant amphorae in the palace of Minos, King of Crete.
Quatourze
Production centres: Narbonne Annual production: 5 887 hl Soil : rolled pebbles on terraces Climate :strong sunshine with low rainfall, wind and maritime influence.
This is undoubtedly the Languedoc’s oldest vineyard. Just by the gates of Narbonne, the Quatourze plateau overlooks the Bages lagoon. The rosés are fresh and fruity, the reds powerful, full and rounded. Maccabeu is the grape in the whites.
Clape
Production centres: Armissan, Fleury d’Aude, Salles-d’Aude, Vinassan, Narbonne.
