In this land of Corbières dominated by the Château de Quéribus, the Terroirs du Vertige apply to the full expression of wines from altitude vineyards.
Contrasting altitudes
The name itself immediately sets the scene for the vineyard: Terroirs du Vertige (Terroirs of Vertigo ). While the Mediterranean Sea remains close as the crow flies, the altitude is a significant factor here. The Château de Quéribus, a Cathar fortress, overlooks Cucugnan from a rocky outcrop reaching 728 meters. At its foot lies the vineyard, divided into plots on rocky slopes. Lower down, around Talairan, the vines occupy slightly more gentle terrain. On this terroir, influenced by both Mediterranean climate and the temperance of the higher altitudes, the grapes ripen slowly but surely. Drawing its strength from the clay-limestone and schist soils of the Corbières, it derives from the climate a dense and fruity expression, beautifully complemented by a diverse range of grape varieties. These 850 hectares are planted with Grenache, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, and Chardonnay.
A sought-after balance
The vineyards of Terroirs du Vertige benefit from this distribution of plots between the gentle slopes around Talairan and the expressive altitudes around Cucugnan. This configuration gives the cooperative's wines a range of nuances that reconcile the full expression of fruit with the solid minerality of the terroir. The solidarity among the winemakers, fostered by favorable soils, gives Terroirs du Vertige a production capacity with beautifully developed nuances. The wines bear witness to a rigorous balance that embodies the charm of these high-altitude Corbières. The focus is primarily on aromatic freshness resulting from the careful control of ripening. The changes in elevation and the subtle climatic variations they generate determine the coherent nuances of the different cuvées. In each, one finds the mastery of silky tannins, complemented by a balance of fruit and flavors that form the common thread and the defining characteristic of all the wines of Terroirs du Vertige.
Wines in relief
The choice to prioritize fruit expression is utterly evident in the Fraîcheur range . Its dominant character comes from Grenache grapes, nuanced by Syrah for the reds, Marsanne for the whites, and Cinsault for the rosés. Pushing the terroir's potential even further, the Vertiges cuvée allows Syrah, now the dominant grape, to take precedence over the brilliance of Grenache. Made using traditional winemaking methods and boasting a deep purple hue, it achieves that typical marriage of ripe red fruits enhanced with peppery and spicy notes. This full expressiveness reaches its zenith with the two flagship cuvées of Terroirs du Vertige . The first, Roc de Bonelli , takes its name from a rare eagle, encouraging Syrah and Grenache to reach their peak after 12 months of aging in oak barrels. The second, named Corvaria , draws its name from the very essence of the Corbières region. It boasts a deep garnet hue where the dominant Syrah, enhanced by oak aging, harmonizes with a Grenache preserved in its full freshness. If, in a high-altitude vineyard, balance and strength are the keys to full expression, then the Terroirs du Vertige wines perfectly reach the expected heights.