 Key figures 500 hectares 100 producers 4 cooperative wine producers 16 private wine producers Average yield 50 hectolitres/hectare Average production 20 000 hl (80% red, 20% rosé) Sales 15 000 hl (Storehouse outputs 2005/06) Traditional and direct sales : 50% General Distribution: 30% , export: 20%  |
 |
Appellation area This region extends from the Canal du Midi in the North, as far as the Aude in the east. The most western Languedoc appellation surrounds the wooded massif of Malepère, from the gates of Carcassonne to Limoux and as far as Lauragais. 
Geology Argilo-calcareous hillsides with hilltops, ancient gravel terraces and gravel summits. Climate Oceanic tendency mixed with a Mediterranean character displaying a transitional climate with specific characteristics affected by altitude, exposure and the position on an east-west gradient favouring the growth of wild plants preferring the Mediterranean, sub-Mediterranean and even ocean climates. Grapes Planting has been adapted to the ecologic diversity and the Malepère AOC wines are created by the assemblage of Atlantic and Mediterranean grapes.Planting for the red wines: main grape Merlot (minimum 50%), complementary grapes, Cabernet Franc, Cot (minimum 20%), secondary grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Cinsault. Planting for the rosé wines: main grape, cabernet Franc (minimum 50%) complementary grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut, Cot, Grenache, Merlot.(minimum 20%) Vinification For the red wines : stripped grape harvesting, traditional vinification with maceration and temperature control. The period in vats is variable. Rosésproduced by saignée, fermentation at low-temperature. Development strategy Malepère has established its own identity, “Another Languedoc” characterised by its strong Mediterranean personality. |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
 |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||
