here are eight different grape varieties permitted that originate from the Aquitaine & the Mediterranean.

Cabernet Sauvignon & Franc, Merlot, Cot, Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Lledoner - these are the grapes that ripen in our mild & sunny region.

The choice of grape is essentially governed by the climatic conditions, the type of soil & the exposure of the land.

Merlot Noir : This is the dominant grape used in the appellation (50%). Very adaptable in wine production, it produces a full bodied, smooth & mellow wine that has a very developed red & black fruits, together with truffle, nose.

Cabernet Franc : very delicate grape ! Very good bouquet violet, raspberry, blackcurrant, redcurrant, liquorice, mint - with a delicate tannic structure & is long in the mouth. This grape is much appreciated when mixed with the Merlot grape.

Cabernet Sauvignon : this is notoriously the number 1 grape in the world for wine production. It is highly coloured, fruity, has strong & powerful tannin levels & is particularly adapted for ageing.

Cinsaut : Mediterranean grape with large fruit, delicate & fruity flavour, essentially used for rosé wines.

Cot (Malbec) : Grown on poor soils, it is a low yielding grape. It contributes colour, fruit (violet, liquorice) & tannin. It complements a wine, when blending grapes in order to personalise it.

Grenache Noir : A great mediterranean grape, the Grenache is well adapted to dry & poor soils. It produces fruity wines, that are very fine & elegant, & complements grape blends.

LLedoner pelut : a cousin of the Grenache Noir grape, with downy leaves. Not very common.

Syrah : The great grape of the Rhone valley ! Very colourful & aromatic. In the Malepère, this grape is in a minority but it is, nonetheless, interesting when used in rosé wines.