The Roussillon is residence to a spread of wine kinds, at various value factors. Candy fortified wines (vin doux naturel) used to dominate manufacturing, with nonetheless dry wines (vin sec) within the minority.
Within the final 30 years, nonetheless, this has fully modified, and vin sec now makes up the bulk (80%) of the Roussillon’s output.
The latest Wines of Roussillon tasting, held in London, not solely highlighted many good high quality dry wines being produced, but in addition cemented the concept that Roussillon whites are value taking significantly, and revealed a couple of pink surprises too.
We’ve chosen 15 high picks from the tasting, protecting whites, rosés, reds and fortifieds to hunt out.
Scroll down for tasting notes and scores for 15 high Roussillon wines from the latest tasting
Straddling the worth / premium divide
The record beneath highlights a collection of wines throughout numerous value factors, with some providing glorious worth for cash, nice for weekday ingesting. Whereas others are pushing right into a extra premium value bracket.
That is hardly stunning, given how small the yields are. In 2021, for instance, the common yields have been 28hl/ha. ‘Lower than one glass of wine per plant’, says Eric Aracil, co-director and export supervisor on the CIVR (Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon).
It’s clear that there’s nonetheless nice worth to be discovered within the Roussillon, nonetheless, and it may be that whites are the place to look.
Make approach for Roussillon whites
White wines are made in simply two of the Roussillon’s 9 AOPs, which explains why quite a lot of white Roussillon – the truth is 72% – is labelled as IGP Côtes Catalanes (and a small quantity of IGP Côte Vermeille).
The IGPs additionally enable extra flexibility by way of grape varieties. Producers eager to shine a light-weight on a single grape selection, like Grenache Blanc or Gris, should label the wine as IGP.
Wines of Roussillon’s latest figures present that 17% of dry wine manufacturing within the Roussillon is now could be white.
‘What’s essential for me is that this proportion is rising every year, in a loopy approach, however it’s the actuality’, mentioned Aracil, ’20 years in the past, it was 2%.’
Aracil mentioned that it’s shopper demand driving this improve in manufacturing of white wines. Gross sales of white Roussillon AOP wines (Côtes du Roussillon and Collioure) have elevated 14% during the last 5 years. (Supply: CIVR).
‘Now we have some very recent, crisp, nice white wines that are fully surprising, and that are fully totally different from basic Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Primarily due to Grenache’, mentioned Aracil. ‘Even in a really heat space, due to the terroir, the know the way, and the expertise, we are able to have some great white wines.’
Treolar’s dry, orangey and saline One Block Muscat is a must-try and a steal, retailing below £15 within the UK.
Le Soula’s Blanc 2015 is an outstanding instance of the complexity and ageability of Roussillon whites.
Room for Roussillon rosé?
Whereas the main target on the latest tasting was clearly on dry whites and reds, some could also be shocked to study that 26% of Roussillon’s dry wine manufacturing is the truth is rosé.
However, as Aracil says, this rosé is usually consumed in Roussillon itself, in the course of the area’s lengthy, sizzling summer season. So there may be not an enormous quantity on the export market.
The small variety of rosés on present on the tasting, nonetheless, confirmed promise. Flavour characters tended in direction of natural, mineral and citrusy, versus overtly candy and strawberry-led.
Domaine des Soulane’s 2021 rosé, a mix of Carignan, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah, is dry and filled with tangy citrus and cranberry notes.
Whereas the cooperative Arnaud de Villeneuve’s Stellaire rosé 2021 has a savoury, natural edge to the recent grapefruit notes.
A spread of reds
There’s little doubt that the recent and sunny Roussillon local weather produces some intense, excessive alcohol wines. Up to now, heavy oak use might dominate. However good examples of this type do exist. Take Domaine Singla’s Passe Temps 2020, which manages to steadiness the alcohol with deliciously plummy, seductive fruit.
There are additionally some lighter-bodied reds to be discovered, resembling Domaine Lafage’s La Rétro, which is designed to be a juicy, easy-drinking purple – it even is available in a litre-bottle.
Don’t overlook vin doux naturel
Manufacturing ranges of vin doux naturel wines might have tanked in recent times as a consequence of decreased demand, however the Roussillon nonetheless is aware of what it’s doing in relation to fortified wines. They provide subsequent degree complexity present in only a few wine areas worldwide.
The Dom Brial Grande Réserve Rivesaltes Ambré 1969 is extremely complicated, with flavours starting from darkish chocolate, nuts and orange to mahogany and pine resin.
Whereas this explicit wine retails slightly below £100 and subsequently might not be an on a regular basis ingesting wine, there are different fortifieds that provide nice worth within the Banyuls and Maury appellations.
15 high Roussillon wines from the latest tasting
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