Regulations
The Coteaux du Languedoc-Cabrières appellation has very strict production rules. The grapes grow on land parcels identified by the producers and approved by the INAO.
The 1985 Decree
Cabrières is unique. Of the 500 communes making up the AOC Languedoc it is the only one entitled to produce AOC Languedoc-Cabrières labelled wines.
Grape varieties red wines :
Principal grapes
- Grenache N
- Syrah N
Complementary grapes
- Carignan N
- Cinsaut N
- Morrastel N
- Mourvèdre N
Blend of grapes
The wines result from blending grapes, grape must or wines, from at least two principal varieties. .
The proportion of any one variety cannot be over or equal to 65% of the blend.
The proportion of Grenache N and Syrah N, together or separately must be over or equal to 50% of the
blend.
The proportion of complementary grapes with the exception of Carignan N, Cinsault N and Mourvèdre N, must be inferior to or equal to 20% of the blend.
Grape varieties rosé wines :
Principal grapes
- Cinsault N
- Grenache N
Complementary grapes :
- Bourboulenc B
- Carignan N
- Clairette B
- Grenache blanc B
- Marsanne B
- Morrastel N
- Mourvèdre N
- Roussanne B
- Syrah N
- Terret blanc B
- Vermentino B
- Viognier B
Blend of grapes :
The wines result from blending grapes, grape must or wines, with the exception of white varieties when these are vinified separately, of at least two principal grapes.
The proportion of any one grape cannot be over or equal to 65% of the blend.
The proportion of Cinsault N to be over or equal to 30% of the blend.
The proportion of Grenache N to be over or equal to 20% of the blend.
The proportion of complementary grapes Syrah N and Mourvèdre N to be less than or equal to 35% of the blend.
The proportion of other complementary grapes must be lower than or equal to 10% of the blend.
Alcohol levels : Grapes for the wines must be picked when well matured and the alcohol levels must be over 12.5% for the black grapes for red wines, and over 12% for black and white grapes for rosé wines.
Yields : The basic Cabrières yield level must not exceed 42 h//l per hectare for red wines and 46 h//l per hectare for rosé wines.
When production from young vines can be used : The AOC Languedoc label cannot be used until the young vines have reached their 3rd year for rosé wines and their 5th year for red wines.
Planting density per hectare : The minimim density is of 4 400 plants per hectare
Vine pruning : The vines must be hard pruned to spurs, with a maximum of ten buds per stem. Each spur should have 2 buds at most.
Maturing : The red wines must mature until at least the 15 May of the year after the harvest.
