Roussillon and its wines

The Roussillon is a historic wine region in the south of France, located between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea, in the southern part of the old province of Languedoc-Roussillon, today part of theOccitanie. Bordering Spain and deeply influenced by the Catalan culture, Roussillon is famous for its intense red wines, mineral whites and above all for the Vins Doux Naturels (VDN) such as the Banyuls, Maury and Rivesaltes.

Characterised by a dry climate, plenty of sun and constant winds, this area features poor soils rich in slate, limestone and schist, ideal for quality viticulture. Roussillon is today one of the most dynamic and craft-oriented areas in France, with growing attention to natural and organic wines.

What is the Roussillon wine district?

Roussillon includes numerous AOC and IGP appellations, including:

AOC Dry Wines

• Côtes du Roussillon AOC
• Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC
• Collioure AOC
• Latour-de-France, Les Aspres, Caramany, Tautavel (villages within the Villages AOC)

AOC Vins Doux Naturels (VDN)

• Banyuls AOC & Banyuls Grand Cru
• Maury AOC
• Rivesaltes AOC
• Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC

IGP (wines in a freer style)

• Côtes Catalanes IGP → A very large, dynamic area running alongside the AOCs.

Characteristics of Roussillon Wines

Colour

• Reds: Dark, purplish ruby red in the young wines, garnet in the aged wines.
• Whites: Straw yellow with golden highlights.
• VDN: From pale gold (Muscat) to dark amber (Rivesaltes, Banyuls).

Aromas

• Fruity: Black fruit, cherry, figs and jam in the reds; citrus and peach in the whites.
• Floral: White flowers, acacia and orange blossom in the Muscats.
• Spicy and Mediterranean: Notes of thyme, rosemary, liquorice, cocoa and black pepper.

Palate

• Rich and Warm: In the reds from Grenache and Syrah, with well-integrated alcohol.
• Mineral and Fresh: In the high-altitude whites or those from slate soils.
• Sweet and Complex: In the VDNs, with a perfect balance of sugar and acidity.

Typical Grape Varieties of the Roussillon

Black Grape Varieties

• Grenache Noir: The dominant grape variety, including for the VDN.
• Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre: Used to give structure, spice and acidity.
• Lladoner Pelut: The Catalan version of Grenache, more velvety.

White Grape Varieties

• Grenache Blanc & Gris: For dry or oxidative whites and VDN.
• Macabeu: Fresh and floral.
• Muscat à Petits Grains, Muscat d’Alexandrie: For aromatic sweet wines.

Why Choose a Wine from Roussillon?

A wine from the Roussillon is the perfect choice for anyone who loves wines sunny, rich, Mediterranean and at the same time authentic and artisan. The intense reds, the briny whites and the natural sweet wines offer a stylistic variety unique in France. Perfect to accompany spicy dishes, aged cheeses, foie gras, dark chocolate and Catalan cooking.