The Corbières AOP was created in 1985 and covers 13,500 hectares (33,000 acres) of vineyards. In terms of geography and wine production, it is by some way the largest AOP in Languedoc, situated between the city of Narbonne to the east, the rolling hills of the Minervois to the north, Carcassonne to the west and the foothills of the Pyrenées and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Being such a large region it is split into 11 different "terroirs", due to its sheer diversity of soils and microclimates, with vineyard altitudes ranging from sea level to as much as 600 metres.
Not a lot grows at the higher levels, except for vines, olive trees and garrigues. The scenery is rarely less than stunning, with rugged hills and mountains topped with Cathar fortresses which are visible for miles around. The wines (predominantly red, from the classic Languedoc varieties) tend to be more full-bodied and powerful than neighbouring Minervois, with good ageing potential.
