Vallée du Paradis

IGP area for red, rosé and white wines in the French wine-growing region of Languedoc. The name is explained by the legend that an epidemic decimated the cattle of the plain, but miraculously this valley was spared. The area lies in the heart of the Corbières and is separated from the Mediterranean by a series of limestone mountains. It includes the 12 communes of Albas, Cascastel-des-Corbières, Coustouge, Durban-Corbières, Embres-et-Castelmaure, Fontjoncouse, Fraissé-des-Corbières, Jonquières, Quintillan, Saint-Jean-de-Barrou, Villeneuve-les-Corbières and Villesèque-des-Corbières in the department of Aude. A wide range of grape varieties is permitted. For the most part, red wines are produced mainly from the varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan Noir (Mazuelo), Cinsaut, Mourvèdre (Monastrell), Grenache Noir (Garnacha Tinta), Caladoc, Merlot and Syrah. The most important white wine varieties are Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. As a speciality, there is also a light-pressed rosé version Gris de gr is. Well-known producers are Domaine des Garrigottes and Jeanjean.