Carignan

Carignan is the most important grape variety in Roussillon. It is usually trained in a bush structure and requires hand-picking.

Syrah    >

The photograph shows very ripe Syrah just before harvesting. The grapes were used produce a dry fortified wine.

Grenache

Grenache is usually used in blended wines such as the award winning La Cuvée du Presbytère millésime 2005 from Vignerons de Caramany.

A local grape called Lladoner Pelut is also used along with, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Red wines are generally spicy and medium body.

Grape Picking

Picture is hand-picking Grenache Blanc at St. Martin de Fenouillet

Appellations

The Roussillon vineyards have two regional Appellations d’Origine Controlle viz. Cotes du Rousillon and Collioure. These break down into a number for zonal appellations such as AOC Cotes Roussillon Villages.

There are four Appellations; Banyuls, Maury, Rivesaltes and Muscat de Rivesaltes; for the sweet fortified Vins Doux wines that are a speciality of the region. Plus there is an appellation for those villages that don’t make the top four areas! Grand Roussillon is an appellation for sweet wine from 89 Roussillon villages. The appellation is not including the sweet wines from Banyuls, Rivesaltes, Maury and Collioure which deserve each of them their own appellation. Roussillon is without doubt an interesting region for both red and white sweet wine. The grapes usually used are Muscat blanc, Muscat romain and Grenache for sweet white wine, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Lista for sweet red wine.

In addition there are six Vin de Pays appellations.