Roussillon is a district in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon and is located between Spain, the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees and the Corbières Mountains and Roussillon is particularly known for its beautiful, red cliffs. Roussillon has a variety of wines and different types of soil. It almost seems that every grape has its own type of soil and there are 24 approved grapes in Roussillon. With its characteristic patchwork of various terroirs like for instance red and black clay, sandstone, gravel or granite, Roussillon offers a wide range of wines with very distinctive properties. The varying structure of the region as well as the warm microclimate in the region gives a unique character to its wines.
In Roussillon there are 2 200 wine producers. 5% of the world’s wine production comes from this single wine region in France. There are also more than 400 wine cooperatives, predominantly private. Here is a selection of wines in all colors, mostly dry still wines and the sweet Vins Doux Naturels.
The appellation Côtes du Roussillon is an Appellation Contrôlée for the red, white and rosé wines and the classic grapes used in the wine making are mainly Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre but also sometimes Cinsault for red wines. The white wines are made Grenache Blanc, Macabeu but also by Roussanne and Rolle. Make it Sweet Wine Doux is mainly used by Muscat.
The wines in Roussillon can be described as being very sophisticated elegant and harmonious, both fruity and full-bodied, often having a powerful and complex character with tones of dark fruit, peppery spices, fresh herbs and with a lot of tannins, but it seems almost every little part and every vineyard has its exceptional and unique wines.
Vineyards to Visit in Roussillon
The Château Montana has the beautiful and enchanting surroundings of the Aspres region in the French Pyrenees, just a short drive from Perpignan and here you make elegant and stylish wines, from sweet wines with the fruity grape Muscat to really powerful and complex red wines.
Visitors can experience the history of winemaking through old tools and the picturesque wine museum here. You understand the difference between the day and the new way of making wine today. In addition, you can enjoy wine tasting and a guided tour of the wine cellar.
- Appellations: IGP Cotes Catalanes, AOC Côtes du Roussillon, AOC Rivesaltes
- Activities: The Museum of Wine, Wines and Traditions
- Price: € 15
Domaine Vents du Sud Estate is a property from 2006. Here one has always thought of quality and one is investing in the diversity of grapes and soil while respecting the environment and then it becomes possible to develop eight good, organic wines – without the addition of sulfur – of the six grape varieties that one uses. The grapes, of course, harvest manually.
Expect to taste exclusive and exquisite wines, and we have cottages for rent that have both kitchen and pool.
- Appellations: AOC Rivesaltes, AOC Côtes du Roussillon, AOC Côtes du Roussillon Villages, IGP Muscat sec
- Activities: Wine tasting at Domaine Vents du Sud
- Price: € 15
In the southern part of Languedoc-Roussillon lies the estate Domaine Sol Payré and you can say that this is the last vineyard before the border with Spain. This is a Catalan country that the Sol-Payré family loves and here they manage their vineyards over the Pyrenees.
The property has been in the same family since 1913 and now you are in the 5th generation of winemakers.
- Appellations: AOC Côtes du Roussillon, AOC Vins Doux Naturels Rivesaltes
- Activities: Wine tasting at Domaine Sol Payé
- Price: € 10
Domaine Chaluleau Pons sits in the Languedoc-Roussillon wine appellation. It covers an area of 18 hectares. The estate is a family farm in organic farming and here grows a variety of grapes such as
Syrah, Muscat, Old Carignans, Petit Grain, and Chardonnay as well as Grenache Noir and Gris, Maccabeu, Mourvèdre, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Professional oenologist Agnès Pipperno creates very specific and wonderful red, white and rose wines. Some of their popular wines are AOP Côtes du Roussillon Red, IGP Red Côtes Catalanes, AOP Rivesaltes Ambré, etc. Visitors come from all over the world to see the vineyard, the wine cellar and experience the beautiful tasting room. Please book in advance.
- Appellation: AOP Côtes du Roussillon Rouge, IGP Rouge Côtes Catalanes, AOP Rivesaltes Ambré
- Activity: Wine tasting and tours at Domaine Chaluleau Pons
- Activity/Price: Please contact for activities and prices
Domaine De La Perdrix is located at the foot of the Pyrenees, overlooking the beautiful Roussillon coast. This is a family vineyard from the 1820s and the estate is today run by André and Virginie Gil from the Partridge family. Here you will find a patchwork of fine and dry terroir with coarse soils. The goal is producing quality and above all elegant and very tasteful wines with stylish tannins and long storage potential. One produces an exclusive collection of white, red and rosé wines.
Their best wines include Field of the Partridge Red Sweet Coule and Field of the Partridge Rivesaltes Tuilé 2013.
- Appellation: AOP Cotes du Roussillon, IGP Côtes catalanes, AOP Muscat de Rivesaltes, AOP Rivesaltes
- Activities: Wine tasting at Domaine de la Perdrix
- Price: € 2
