Welcome
La Clape
The French authorities created the La Clape Wine appellation in 2015; the first communal appellation in Languedoc, and this results from year-after-year of superb quality.
Languedoc wine is known for being a great value, but what's coming out of La Clape's wineries is just on another level; the wine is competitive at a local, national and international level. La Clape leads entire Southern France in terms of quality, and the young wine region is just getting started.
Grapevines feel comfortable in the coastal region. The Ancient Romans planted grapes in the prestigious terroir over 2000 years ago. It was them who brought the grape varieties still cultivated today in the area, including the unique Bourboulenc.
La Clape is a competitive wine region with a small but elite winemaking community that turns the sun-kissed grapes into authentic wine of the highest quality, even to France’s standards.
Production
La Clape's wineries can produce red, white and rosé wine from native grape varieties. The region's appellation establishes strict rules to ensure consistent wine quality — there must be a grapevine density of 4400 vines per hectare, yields are low, and there are stringent rules to blend the different grapes.
Under Southern France's blistering sun and invigorated by the Mediterranean breeze (the region is 10km from the coast), wine grapes ripen to perfection every year in La Clape, and dedicated winemakers make the most out of the fruit with wines of contemplative character and age-worthiness.
La Clape’s territory lies within the l’Aude department and covers the winemaking area around the communes of Armissan, Fleury d’Aude, Gruissan, Narbonne, Salles, d’Aude and Vinassan for 768 hectares of red and white grapes. Large cooperatives dominate the area, but they're joined by at least 30 quality-oriented winemakers, including prestigious names as well-known as Gerard Bertrand and Eric Fabre (Ch. Lafite Rothschild).
Rosé wine can be both the product of the bleeding method or the direct press. Most white wine is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, although some spend some time on their lees and in oak barrels. Red wine is often built to age, and it's ripe, structured, bold and concentrated.
Grape Varieties and Blends
Wine producers in La Clape champion blends over mono-varietal wines to paint a complete picture of the coastal terroir. For red wine, producers must use at least 70% of the region's main varieties: Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. They can also add Carignan and Cinsault in a smaller percentage.
White wine must comprise at least 40% of the main varieties: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Piquepoul, Roussanne and Vermentino, with Bourboulenc making at least 40% of the blend. Other varieties can be included: Macabeu, Terret and Viognier (up to 10%).
The complex blending rules guarantee solid quality across the board while allowing each grape variety to shine as part of a well-orchestrated, harmonious blend that has become Languedoc's crown jewel. La Clape style cannot be imitated, every piece of the puzzle is in place for extraordinary winemaking, and the resulting wines are beautiful.
Buy La Clape Wines from Hourlier Wines
Hourlier Wines is proud to offer you the result of a relationship with winemaker Eric Fabre, former technical director at Château Lafite Rothschild, and his estate in La Clape — Chateau D'Angles.
White, rosé and red wine, made with the utmost care and Cru Classé technique, become contemplative wine that's incredibly versatile at the table. With one of the best quality-price ratio, these wines showcase the region's autochthonous grape varieties to show Languedoc can produce wine of contemplative nature and world-class quality. Here are a few splendid labels from La Clape for you to enjoy.
La Clape: Chateau d'Angles Grand Vin White
Winemaker extraordinaire Eric Fabre brings his Cru Classé experience to craft a beautiful white wine made with the local specialties 40% Bourboulenc, 20% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussanne, and 20% Marsanne. A layered bouquet of white fruit, flowers and spices gives this one a drinking window of 5-20 years — the finest white wine in La Clape, and perhaps in Southern France.
La Clape: Chateau d'Angles Grand Vin Red
Wine with such pedigree is not common in the Languedoc. Winemaker Eric Fabre's vinous masterpiece is amongst the finest red wines in the country. Still, this is very much of Southern France wine — you can taste it in the ripe black fruit, spices and garrigue scents from the exciting combination of 55% Mourvèdre, 30% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 5% Carignan. Suitable for the finest tables, D'Angles Grand Vin is a memorable wine to enjoy for at least two decades.
FAQ
Where does La Clape AOC wine originate?
Once a Languedoc subzone, today La Clape is its own appellation in the coastal Southern France. 768 hectares of sun-drenched vineyards freshened by the Mediterranean breeze.
What does La Clape AOC wine taste like?
White wine can be fresh and thirst-quenching or full-bodied, age-worthy and robust. Red wine is structured, bold and fruit-forward with immense elegance and a sophisticated bouquet. All wines in La Clape are blends and reflect the region's coastal terroir like a picture.
Which food groups pair well with La Clape AOC wine?
La Clape wine is fruit-forward and has elevated alcoholic warmth balanced by a pleasant acidity. This makes the wine versatile at the table. White wine is perfect for Mediterranean seafood and whitefish. Red wine pairs nicely with comfort food — casseroles, stews, hot pots, grilled meat, sausages and hard cheese.
