Roussillon

Wine-growing region in the deep south of France, it is the southern portion of the huge Languedoc-Roussillon region (see there for history). It is here that the Muscadel grape was first cultivated, the basis fort he famous fortified sweet wines. The inventor of what is now known as vin doux naturel is thought to be the famous medical doctor Arnaldus de Villanova (1240-1311). This type of wine is also produced in the Languedoc, which borders on Roussillon to the north, but the Roussillon region accounts for 90% of total production. It was a part of the kingdom of Mallorca for four centuries, and only became part of France in 1659. This explains why viticulture, too, is characterised by Spanish influences. The region is surrounded by three mountain ranges: Corbières in the north, Canigou in the west and Albères in the osuth, on the border with Spain. The vineyards are located slopes facing the Mediterranean at altitudes of up to 600 metres above sea level. The vineyard area totals 37.000 hectares, located in the département Pyrénées-Orientales. Growing conditions vary quite a lot, so wines are very different, although they are all characterised by the temperate Mediterranean climate. The region produces mainly red and rosé wines, the reds are made mainly from Carignan (50% of the vineyard area), Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Merlot, the white wines are made from Muscat variants, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Picpoul and Roussanne. The regional speciality, the country wine „Vin de Pays d’Oc“ was created in 1987 by a producers association that today numbers more than 1.000 members (see under Vin de Pays). The most important appellations and VDQS areas are:

* Banyuls (Banyuls Grand Cru, Banyuls Grand Cru Rancio, Banyuls Rancio)
* Côtes du Roussillon (Côtes du Roussillon-Villages with four Cru communes)
* Collioure
* Grand Roussillon (Grand Roussillon Rancio)
* Maury (Maury Rancio)
* Muscat de Rivesaltes
* Rivesaltes (Rivesaltes Rancio)