📜 Aude

Aude is a French protected geographical indication (PGI) for still red, rosé and white wines. The grapes are grown and the wine is made in the Aude department in southern France; the name comes from the Aude river.

Red wine dominates. The wines are mostly blends of traditional Languedoc varieties (Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault) and varieties from other regions such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon, plus crossings like Marselan, Caladoc and Chasan. They are meant to be drunk young: fruity, with soft tannins in the reds and fresh, balanced whites and rosés.

The wines must have at least 9% vol actual alcohol, and the yield is limited to 120 hl per hectare. The label may carry grape variety names, the terms "primeur" or "nouveau", or the name of one of nine smaller areas (Coteaux de la Cabrerisse, Coteaux de Miramont, Côtes de Lastours, Côtes de Prouilhe, Hauterive, La côte rêvée, Pays de Cucugnan, Val de Cesse, Val de Dagne). "Vin de Pays" may replace "indication géographique protégée", with the EU PGI logo on the label. The current specification was approved by the French order of 31 January 2023, published in the Journal officiel on 8 February 2023.