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18-522: The residents of the Cabardes region produced wine as early as the Roman occupation, but the modern appellation was made official only in 1999. It had previously been a VDQS wine under the alternative names Cabardès and Côtes du Cabardès et de l'Orbiel since 1973. The unique requirement of blending Mediterranean varieties and Atlantic varieties is the result of experimentation in cultivation and blending that began in

36-459: A small grouping of villages directly north of the medieval walled city of Carcassonne . It is exceptionally small in size compared to the neighboring AOC areas like the 5,100 hectare-large Minervois or the 15,000 hectare behemoth of the Corbieres . The soil composition varies between chalky clay, limestone and rocky foothill terroir. The weather is largely dominated by the powerful wind currents of

54-598: A small part of overall French wine production. In 2005, VDQS wines made up 0.9% of volume amounting from 409,472 hectoliters of production. 42.3% of the VDQS wines produced in that year were white, with the remaining 57.7% being either red or rosé. The VDQS category was eliminated altogether in 2011, with remaining VDQS wines either moving to AOC status or to the EU-governed protected geographical indication (French: indication géographique protégée) status. The VDQS category

72-648: The May 1958 Algerian crisis that led to the fall of the Fourth Republic . French forces used brutal means of attempting to suppress Algerian nationalists, alienating support in metropolitan France and discrediting French prestige abroad. In 1960, French President Charles de Gaulle agreed to negotiations with the FLN after major demonstrations in Algiers and other cities. A 1961 referendum on allowing self-determination for Algeria

90-539: The VDQS category. After political deliberations that somewhat delayed the initial timelines for the reform, the French parliament made the proposal into law in December 2007. The final wines labelled VDQS were those of the 2010 vintage, and by December 31, 2011, VDQS was removed entirely from the classification system. Existing VDQS areas had until then to either qualify for full AOC status or to become vins de pays . The latter

108-700: The cusp between the distinct climates of the Languedoc-Roussillon and the southwest of France . The appellation is the only AOC in France that permits the blending of grape varieties typically found in Mediterranean climates like Syrah and Grenache with varieties typically found in Atlantic climates like Merlot , Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon . Winemakers are required to grow 50% Atlantic varieties and 50% Mediterranean varieties, and must also blend them -

126-660: The following day, and Algerian leaders declared 5 July (the 132nd anniversary of the French arrival in Algiers ) to be Independence Day . When Algeria ceased to be part of France it also ceased being part of the European Communities . The Algerian War was started by members of the National Liberation Front (FLN) with the Toussaint Rouge attacks on 1 November 1954. Conflicts proliferated in France, including

144-485: The hopeful spring of 1961 to the ceasefire of March 18, 1962 spanned a season of shadow boxing, false threats, capitulation and murderous hysteria. French Algeria died badly. Its agony was marked by panic and brutality as ugly as the record of European imperialism could show. In the spring of 1962 the unhappy corpse of empire still shuddered and lashed out and stained itself in fratricide. The whole episode of its death, measured at least seven and half years, constituted perhaps

162-508: The late 1970s. As of 2007, these wines were relatively unknown in France, and their export, in terms of volume, is exceptionally rare due to limited production quantities and a relatively small marketing budget. The vineyards of the Cabardes cover a mere 500 hectares on the northwestern border of the modern Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. This area runs up against the foothills of the Montagne Noire . The appellation really consists of

180-419: The new requirements from 2011 rule that the proportions of both Atlantic or Mediterranean varieties must be 40% or higher. This varietal composition reflects the distinctive soil qualities and dominant winds of the area. VDQS Vin délimité de qualité supérieure ( French pronunciation: [vɛ̃ delimite də kalite sypeʁjœʁ] , "delimited wine of superior quality"), usually abbreviated as VDQS ,

198-510: The region, the dry, Atlantic vent Cers and the warm, Mediterranean vent Marin . The appellation's location where these winds meet on the border of two major French climatic zones creates a unique microclimate that has influenced its development as a winemaking region. Most of the wine produced in the Cabardès is red, but rosé can also be produced under the AOC designation. The region is positioned on

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216-431: The years. Between 1984 and 1994 not a single new VDQS was added. As a result of an ongoing crisis in the French wine industry, Bernard Pomel was tasked with making proposals on how to remedy the situation. The so-called Pomel report , which was presented to the French minister of agriculture on March 23, 2006, among other things proposed a simplification of the French wine classification system. This included eliminating

234-459: The Évian accords (Chapter III.3) France was allowed to maintain its Mers El Kébir naval base for fifteen years. However, all forces were withdrawn in 1967. Canadian historian John C. Cairns stated in 1962 that: "In some ways the last year has been the worse. Tension has never been higher. Disenchantment in France at least has never been greater. The mindless cruelty of it all has never been more absurd and savage. This last year, stretching from

252-520: Was approved by 75% of voters (including 70% of those voting in Algeria). Negotiations concluded with the signing of the Évian Accords in March 1962, which were approved by 91% of voters in a referendum on 8 April. The referendum question was phrased: "Do you want Algeria to become an independent state, co-operating with France under the conditions defined in the declarations of 19 March 1962?" In accordance with

270-495: Was created in 1949 to fill the gap between the categories Vin de pays (VdP) and AOC, the most prestigious with correspondingly demanding requirements. Typically, VDQS was a stepping stone to full AOC status, and unlike VdP covered local rather than regional areas. When Algeria was still a French colony, a number of Algerian crus were granted VDQS status. At the time of Algerian independence in 1962, they numbered 12. The frequency with which new VDQS were created varied over

288-462: Was held in French Algeria on 1 July 1962. It followed French approval of the Évian Accords in an April referendum . Voters were asked whether Algeria should become an independent state, co-operating with France; 99.72% voted in favour with a voter turnout of 91.88%. Following the referendum, France declared Algeria to be independent on 3 July; the decision was published in the official journal

306-551: Was itself replaced by the protected geographical indication (PGI) classification (in France generally in its French form: indication géographique protégée ). Almost all VDQS areas opted to achieve AOC status, initiating relevant procedures from 2008 to 2009. Algerian independence [REDACTED] Member State of the African Union [REDACTED] Member State of the Arab League An independence referendum

324-442: Was the second highest category of French wine , below appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) in rank, but above vin de pays (country wine). VDQS was sometimes written as AOVDQS, with AO standing for appellation d'origine . VDQS wines were subject to restrictions on yield and vine variety, among others. There were relatively few VDQS as they typically moved on to AOC status after a number of years. VDQS therefore represented

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