Les Hauts de Badens-The Vines

	Although we grow many different cepages at Les Hauts de Badens the real symbol of our region has got to be Carignan. Although originally a Spanish vine, it only recently became very popular there so is not honoured with it's Spanish name of Cariñena. Cultivated in our département since the 12th century it produces very abundant crops. It is used for blending with softer grapes such as Cinsaut and Grenache.
Grenache thrives in our windy rather arid conditions as it has upright growth and particularly strong wood. We grow both 'gris' and noir varieties. It is used for making rosé wines and for blending.
	As with Grenache, Cinsaut's intensity of colour and flavour are inversely proportional to the yield, so it's possible to produce anything from a delicate rosé to a fiery port. Here however it is used for blending, adding to the complexity and elegance of our wines.
Syrah, an aristocratic vine, thought to have come originally from the Middle East is used to add class to the blend. A vine now rightly becoming very popular throuhout France. Its relatively high tannin content means that its wines tend to age well.
	Listan is otherwise known as Palomino and is originally from Andalousia. Although used in Sherry production in Jerez it can be used in the Languedoc to soften blends of wine. Chasan is a white, perfumed, quite sweet grape so is used to blend with other varieties, originally produced by crossing Chardonnay with Palomino.

Merlot can produce a subtle, well coloured wine, which can achieve great richness. It is naturally high in sugars so can produce quite strong wines. An advantage is that it can be drunk very young, due to it's fruitiness.

Caladoc was produced by crossing the red grapes Grenache and Cot. It produces a full-flavoured classic wine with an intense colour and a tannic content very interesting for blending.