Cabardes is a relatively small appellation for red and rosé wines produced in the hills just North of Carcassonne in Southern France. The appellation was introduced in 1999, to represent and ensure the quality of the wines, which have been produced here since Roman times. The Languedoc-Roussillon/cabards">Cabardès catchment area, situated in the foothills of the Montagne Noire, is on the border between the Languedoc-Roussillon and the South West of France. This dual identity is reflected in the Grape varieties that make up the wines of the appellation: Grenache and Syrah from the south and east of France; Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the southwest and Bordeaux.
The result is Rich, unusual and Characteristic red wines. Most of the wines produced under the appellation are red, but a small amount of rosé wines are also produced. These are generally wines of intense flavour and character, Dry in style and produced by the Bleeding method. This method involves separating, or "bleeding", the slightly macerated free-run Juice from recently crushed dark-skinned grapes.
Fer or Fer Servadou, which means "easy to keep" in Occitan, or Mansois in Aveyron or Braucol in Gaillac, is a black grape variety grown in the southwest. It owes its name to its shoots and wood, which are "hard as iron", with medium-sized bunches and firm, juicy berries, and is characterized by its herbaceous taste (which is also found in Cabernet Franc). Iron is a grape variety resistant to frost and disease. Its buds come out late, but its growth accelerates and it matures quite quickly. For a good production, it prefers long pruning. Iron is used alone for the AOC Marcillac wines and in blends for the wines of the Gaillac, Madiran, Béarn and Fronton appellations. These wines have a deep colour, expressive tannins, they are round and fruity (blackcurrant, raspberry and green pepper...)
red wines from the region of Cabardès go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, pasta or veal such as recipes of meat and goat pie, pasta with tuna and laughing cow or adapted vietnamese fondue.
In the mouth in the region of Cabardès is a powerful with a nice balance between acidity and tannins.
