Wineries
There are plenty of wineries in the Aude department of France
Wines of the Aude
Red wines dominate the wine production in the Aude, where the stand-out region is the Corbieres. White wine also has a long history in the region, most notably the AOC Limoux, which has been producing sparkling white wines for over 500 years. Rosé wines are also very widely produced across the region, and although the Aude is not a stand-out region for rosé wines you will find some very good producers if you do a little research.
The beauty of the wineries of the Aude is the diversity of wine production; wherever you go you will find the production of red, white, and rosé wines often all within the same winery. In the Minervois region, you will also find Muscat wines which as well as making some characterful dry whites often used in the production of off-dry and sweet white wines.
Throughout the Aude, you will find different styles of wines being produced as winemakers seek to get the most out of the terroir. Whilst the region is usually bathed in sunshine throughout the summer months each sub-region will have its own microclimate; it is possible to notice subtle changes in climate without traveling very far no matter where you are in the Aude. It is because of this that it is almost impossible to discover two wines from different producers that have the same characteristics.
As with any other wine-producing region, there are different types of wineries in the Aude. There are the large chateau, which often have been owned by the same family for many generations, and there are the small independent producers who operate on a much smaller budget and often a much smaller acreage, and best of all there are the many, many producers that sit in between these two. The beauty is that you will find amazing wines all over the region regardless of how many hectares they have, or how many generations they have been producing wine on the same terroir.
It is advised to contact the winery you wish to visit well in advance to ensure that they are conducting tours, and to ensure you book your place. Nominal fees are often charged for winery tours which will include a tasting session at the end of the tour. If you do not wish to do a tour of the winery but instead would just like to have a tasting you can usually just go to the winery; you don’t need to book for this, but it is expected that your reason for requesting a tasting is that you intend to purchase some wines. Many wineries will hold mini-events in the evenings to introduce their wines to potential customers in a group setting, there may be finger foods available and perhaps live music will accompany your wine tasting. These events are not held every week, often they will be held once a month or once or twice a year depending on the winery.
Below I will list some examples of wineries in the Aude that offer tours, highlighting one winery from a selection of the main wine-producing regions. These wineries are large producers which is often, though not always a good place to start as they will have larger facilities and are thus able to dedicate themselves to tours without leaving the winery short of hands. Also, the more facilities the winery has the more you can potentially make a day of your visit, for example, some of the larger wineries will have a restaurant on-site, allowing you to put their wines to the proper test, i.e. how well they go with food.
Chateau de Gaure
Chateau de Gaure in between Limoux and Carcassonne has been under new ownership since 2005 and in that time the Fabre family has introduced biodynamic methods and also purchased a second estate specifically for the production of high-quality red wines. The original estate which covers 200 hectares is predominately planted with Chardonnay, and an added delight for visitors is that this estate has a castle in the middle of it. A tour costs 8 euros per person and will take approximately one hour in duration, bookings can be made directly with the winery.
Chateau Saint Esteve
Situated just inland from the Mediterranean and sheltered from high winds by the Corbieres Massif you will find Chateau Saint-Esteve, though you will have to look as it is hidden within a forest of pines. The exceptional terroir of the Corbieres region allows the winemaker to produce wines of all styles to a very high standard. Here you will find some outstanding white wines made with the region’s favourite white varieties, from Chardonnay, Marsanne & Roussanne to a delightful Muscat, they also produce a nice crisp sparkling wine. Their Rosé is fresh and fruity and utilizes the traditional Cinsault variety, along with Syrah and Grenache, which is now combined perfectly to produce their gorgeous sparkling Rosé. The Corbieres region is known for its powerful reds and at Chateau Saint-Esteve they are true to expectation. Using the region’s favoured red varieties of Mourvedre, Carignan, Grenache & Syrah they produce red wines of all stages of complexity from fruity and light(ish) to characterful and full-bodied.
Chateau de Pennautier
Chateau de Pennautier is located ten minutes north of Carcassonne [and on the way to Lastours] and is one of the most famous and appreciated wineries in the Carbades appellation. Having been passed down from generation to generation since 1620 Chateau de Pennautier extract all of the depth and lushness from the terrior of the Montagne Noir. Their white wines are fruity and fresh with their single varietal Viognier being a stand-out example and very modestly priced it is well worth travelling for! The red wines from Chateau de Pennaultier are a perfect blend of varieties and wine-making skills, they are ready to drink now and will never disappoint. One of the best aspects of a visit to Chateau de Pennaultier, is they have an excellent restaurant on site that utilizes fresh local ingredients to deliver a menu of classic southern French cuisine.
Chateau La Villatade
Head North out of Carcassonne for 20 minutes and you will find yourself in the Minervois region, which has been a wine-producing region since before Roman times. Chateau La Villatade has been run by Richard and Sophie since 2016 and in that short time, they have transformed this winery to a very high standard, utilizing biodynamic practices they have achieved a HVE3 (High Environmental Value) rating. Their passion for winemaking and their transformation of this amazing terroir produce wines of immense depth and character. Their white wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, and Vermentino and as you would expect displays a perfect balance of fruit, acidity, and freshness. For the red wines they utilize Merlot, Syrah, and Grenache in blends and single varietals which all demonstrate what can be achieved with a determined passion for wine making and an inbuilt love and respect for the terroir. Their Rosé is a delight, the perfect blend of Grenache, Gris and Syrah. Sometimes it is worth looking that little bit longer for a winemaker who dares to be different, maintaining an almost obsessive love and respect for the terroir has certainly allowed Richard and Sophie to follow their passion, and the results are amazing.
Domaine La Louviere
In keeping with the theme of environmental awareness, love and respect for the terroir, and the fantastic wines that can be produced using biodiverse practices, allow me to introduce you to Domaine La Louviere in Malvies. A perfect example of the passion of the winemaker combined with both modern and traditional methods of giving the most to get the most out of the terroir. Jem Harris has been the master vigneron at Domaine La Louviere for almost 10 years, and in that time he has taken this winery from mediocre to marvelous. The winery now boasts full organic status and the range of wines has more than doubled over the years. Utilizing all of the usual varieties of the region, La Louviere produces excellent quality single varietals and blends in both Reds and Whites, and also a rich and fruity Rosé. They also offer a White Crement and a Rosé Crement as well as a delightful Bulle de Blanquette. All of the wines from La Louviere are very terroir driven with freshness and robust flavours bursting from the glass. Domaine La Louviere holds free winery tours every Tuesday morning from May to September, to book your place contact the winery directly.
The diversity of the wineries of the Aude, provide plenty of opportunities for exploring and sampling the rich history of the region.
Salut
