The wine-growing region deep in the south of France is the southern part of the huge Languedoc-Roussillon region. It is surrounded by the three mountain ranges of Corbières in the north, Canigou in the west and Albères on the border with Spain in the south. Due to its secluded location between the sea and the mountains, it has a unique geographical and cultural profile, which is also reflected in its viticulture. Roussillon is one of the oldest wine regions in France, where vines have been cultivated since ancient times.

Vin doux naturel

The first Muscat Blanc grapes were cultivated here, which were used as the basis for the famous fortified sweet wines. The famous doctor and scholar Arnaldus de Villanova (1240-1311) is considered the inventor of the Vin doux naturel wine type. Although they are also produced in the neighbouring Languedoc region to the north-east, Roussillon accounts for around 90%. For four centuries, it was part of the Kingdom of Mallorca and only became part of France in 1659. As a result, viticulture is relatively strongly characterised by Spanish influence in terms of grape varieties, among other things.

Climate & soil

The region is characterised by a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. It is one of the sunniest regions in France with over 300 days of sunshine a year. The drying Tramontane wind blowing from the north-west protects the vines from moisture and fungal diseases. The soils are extremely varied and range from slate, granite and limestone to siliceous clay and alluvial terraces.

Grape varieties

The vineyards cover 22,600 hectares of vines in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. They are located up to 600 metres above sea level on slopes facing the Mediterranean. Most of the red and rosé wines produced are made from the Carignan Noir (Mazuelo) variety, which dominates with around half of the vineyard area, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Noir (Garnacha Tinta) and Merlot, while the white wines are made from Muscat Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanca), Marsanne, Piquepoul (Folle Blanche) and Roussanne.

AOC and IGT areas

In addition to dry red wines, rosé wines and white wines, the region is particularly well known for its vin doux naturels. Banyuls is one of the most famous fortified sweet wines in France and Europe:

• Banyuls, Banyuls Grand Cru, Banyuls Grand Cru Rancio, Banyuls Rancio
• Côtes du Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon-Villages with four cru communes
• Collioure
• Côtes Catalanes (IGP)
• Grand Roussillon, Grand Roussillon Rancio
• Languedoc
• Maury, Maury Rancio
• Muscat de Rivesaltes
• Pays d'Oc (IGP)
• Pyrénées-Orientales (IGP)
• Rivesaltes, Rivesaltes Rancio
• Terres du Midi (IGP)

Map: from DalGobboM¿!i? - Own work, GFDL, link