Providing a large quantity of ordinary wine, the Roussillon region in the southern France also gives excellent wines with the right to the AOC, always lively, full-bodied and warm, such as Collioure or Côtes du Roussillon Villages. Above all, it gives us three quarters of the French natural sweet wines (VDNs), all of which have the appellation d'origine contrôlée: Banyuls, Rivesaltes, Muscat de Rivesaltes, Maury and Grand Roussillon.
A HISTORY OF SWEET AND GENEROUS WINES
It is difficult to fix a precise date for the introduction of viticulture in Roussillon, but it seems certain that it dates from at least the 6th century BC. It is to the Greek colonisation that Roussillon owes its vines: the Corinthian blacksmiths, who came from the eastern shores of the Mediterranean to exploit the rich iron mines of Mont Canigou, imported with them the art and science of a solid wine-growing tradition already established in their country of origin. Then, in the 13th century, the process of fortified wines was discovered and applied, a process that is still much the same today. When in 1659 the Treaty of the Pyrenees restored Roussillon to the French crown, a decree stipulated that "France shall henceforth become the producer of Spanish wines", as it was under this name of "Spanish wines" that the sweet and warm wines of Roussillon were known. This is how the name remained for a very long time for the wonderful sweet wines of Roussillon. These are natural sweet wines that age in barrels in the sun and thus develop the special aromas that are so sought after. They can be served as aperitif, dessert wine or digestive. These wines should be served cold.
ROUSSILLON BEST-SELLERS
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COASTAL WINES
Literally plunging into the Mediterranean, surrounding the port cities of Banyuls and Collioure, the Roussillon vineyards are without doubt one of the most spectaculars. Covering some 20,000 hectares, the vines are planted in inland valleys open to marine influences and climb up the slopes to an altitude of 400 metres. Canals allow the evacuation of rainwater, which can cause considerable damage, especially in the event of violent storms. Fortunately, hydraulic works are an old regional tradition. Indeed, violent storms break out after a period of summer drought and the vines are particularly fragile. Finally, there is not a single tractor in this terraced vineyard. The winegrower's hand is in permanent contact with the earth.
The main grape varieties used to make Roussillon wines are Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne. In Banyuls, the black Grenache dominates. It is cultivated under the direct influence of the sea breezes on the steep slopes of the last foothills of the Alberes where we find a primary schist mother rock with characteristic rusty tints.
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