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Cabardès Wine Region
Red and rosé wines star in this lesser-known wine region north of the medieval city of Carcassonne. The nearby Black Mountains (Montagne Noire) keep the climate relatively cool, and the most popular grape varieties include cabernet, grenache, merlot, and syrah. Many vineyards in the region welcome visitors for tours and tastings.
Carcassonne, Occitania
The basics
Cabardès is an AOC—Appellation of Controlled Origin (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée)—wine region in southern France. It is known for red blends: 40 percent of each wine must be of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, or merlot grapes, while another 40 percent is made up of grenache or syrah. While the city of Carcassonne is a popular starting point for exploring Cabardès, it can also be reached on day trips from Toulouse or Narbonne.
Things to know before you go
In the busy summer season, consider booking wine tastings in advance.
Wine tours are a great way to ensure you experience Cabardès highlights.
Consider bringing home souvenirs — Cabardès wines are known to age well.
How to get there
The Cabardès wine region is located 30 minutes north of Carcassonne. As public transport is limited in this rural area, most visitors explore in a tour vehicle or private vehicle. If you are renting a car, consider the smallest possible vehicle to suit your group’s needs, since narrow farm roads, ancient lanes, and limited parking in towns make larger vehicles a hassle.
When to get there
Warm days and ample sunshine make May–October a popular time to visit the south of France. Aim for the beginning or end of high season to enjoy moderate temperatures and fewer crowds. May, June, September, and October are among the finest times to experience this region. If you don’t mind cooler weather, consider an off-season visit when you’ll have top attractions almost to yourself.
Top wine regions in the south of France
With so much great French wine, it’s hard to know where to start. Cabardès is part of the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region, which stretches all the way to the Mediterranean coast. Further east are the wines of Provence, famed for rosé but home to diverse vineyards producing fine reds and whites. To the north is Côtes du Rhône, an appellation that extends through the lush Rhône Valley.
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