AOC Fitou wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

A.O.C./A.O.P.

the Fitou appellation is located in southern Languedoc, between Perpignan and Narbonne. It embraces 9 villages divided into two wine growing regions in Aude: one following the coastline on calcareous clay soils, the other on higher elevations, where the soil is shallow shale. The climate is Mediterranean, humid on the coastline and more arid inland. Carignan forms the backbone of the varietal range (70% at most), augmented with Grenache noir, Lladoner Pelut, Syrah and Mourvedre, and a balance (10% at most) of Cinsault, Maccabeo and Terret.

Grape varieties: Vins rouges : carignan, grenache, lladoner pelut, syrah, mourvèdre, cinsaut, maccabéo, terret

The wines of this appellation

Fitou uses two different wine making techniques: traditional vinification methods (grapes crushed and destemmed) at controlled temperatures; and the whole grape fermentation process (grapes left uncrushed), primarily for Carignan. The resultant wines are often blended. They must age for at least 9 months. Blessed with a brilliant ruby-red hue, the wines are well-constituted, full, fat and generous with rich, complex aromas (wild flowers, moorland, red fruit (blackcurrant, cherry), spices, grilled almonds and leather layered onto venison and prune). Enjoy with game (wild boar, deer), roast beef with mushrooms or duck breast.