The Roussillon region near the border of Spain has seen a modernisation in production of table wine, very much as is seen throughout most of France.
Yet the Roussillon maintains its very distinctive and traditional styles that are well-suited to the warm Mediterranean climate. Among these are the Vins Doux Naturels of Rivesaltes, Muscat de Rivesaltes and Banyuls.
The Rivesaltes appellation accounts for around half of France’s production of these gently fortified sweet wines, and the diversity is quite astonishing. The wines can be red or white, amber or tawny, vintaged or not, aged in cask and various containers for varying times, and the styles range from fresh clean whites to mature, rancio-driven and porty style reds. No wonder, when the permitted varieties include Muscats, both Petits Grains and Alexandria, Macabeo, and Grenache Blanc, Gris and Noir, among others.
Domaine Cazes is one of the leading producers of Rivesaltes, with a production of over 65,000 cases of wines annually from 160 ha of grapes, farmed biodynamically.
Fascinating range !