Côtes du Roussillon AOC

By far the largest appellation for red wines, rosé wines and white wines in the wine-growing region of Roussillon, which encompasses the entire Département Pyrénées-Orientales around the city of Perpignan. The vineyards cover 5,500 hectares of vines in a total of 125 communes. The area borders the Collioure appellation to the south. At least two grape varieties must be used. For the red wines and white wines, the proportion of the main grape varieties may be a maximum of 80%, for the rosé wines a maximum of 70%. The red wines are blended from the main varieties Carignan Noir (Mazuelo) Grenache Noir (Garnacha Tinta), Mourvèdre and Syrah, as well as the secondary varieties Cinsaut and Lladoner Pelut (Garnacha Peluda). The rosé wines produced by the saignée method are blended from the main grape varieties Grenache Noir, Syrah and Grenache Gris, as well as the secondary varieties Carignan Noir, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Lledoner Pelut and Macabeo. The white wines are blended from the main varieties Grenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanca), Macabeo and Malvoisie de Roussillon (Torbato), as well as the secondary varieties Grenache Gris (Garnacha Roja), Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino, Viognier and Carignan Blanc.

Côtes du Roussillon-Villages

In the north lies the higher classified area of Côtes du Roussillon-Villages with 25 communes. Of these, the communes of Caramany, Latour-de-France, Les Apres, Lesquerde and Tautavel are classified as cru and are allowed to use the name. The appellation applies exclusively to red wines; the rose and white wines must be declared as Côtes du Roussillon. The grape variety mix is similar, only 15% Syrah and Mourvèdre are required.

Producers

Well-known producers of the appellation include CV de Baixas, Château de Canterrane, Château La Casenove, Château de Jau, CV Catalans, Domaine Cazes Frères, Domaine des Chênes, Domaine Força Réal, Domaine Gardiés, Domaine Gauby, Domaine du Mas Camo, Domaine Mas Crémat, Domaine Matassa, Domaine Piquemal, Domaine de la Rectorie. Domaine Sarda-Malet, Domaine des Schistes and Les Maitres Vignerons de Tautavel.

Image: By Babsy - Own work, Public domain, Link