Côtes du Roussillon-Villages Wine Region

Located in the Roussillon wine region of France, Côtes du Roussillon Villages is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée for dry red wines. It is a sub-appellation in the valley of the river Agly surrounded by slopes. Most of its vineyards are planted on the foothills, where they produce high-quality, strictly regulated red wines.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Côtes du Roussillon Wine Region

Villages of Côtes du Roussillon sub-region

Côtes du Roussillon Villages title is given to 25 villages along the Agly river, just south of Corbières. Some of the villages that can have their names attached to the wine are Caramany, Lesquerde, and Tautavel. These villages are located in the most advantageous growing areas, usually with the best exposures to the sun for the better ripeness of the grapes. Together they create a strong wine sub-region and express the most of their sunny terroir. 

Terroir of Côtes du Roussillon Villages

Côtes du Roussillon Villages gained its AOC status in 1977. It covers 1600 hectares of multiple soils: granite to the northwest, red calcareous soils near Corbières, and stony terraces close to la Tet.

The Mediterranean Sea and the mountainous inland form a variety of climates that allow for a variety of grapes to be developed into full-body red wines. The climate is highly affected by the Mediterranean, altitudes vary between 100 to 400meters, with soil ranging from granite and gneiss terrain, black and brown schist, clay and limestone, and stone terraces.

Most of the wines from this appellation have a rich, purple appearance that gives them presence. This is because of the extremely hot climate in the region, which allows the grapes to ripen to their full potential.

Grapes and wines from Côtes du Roussillon Villages

The appellation covers only red wines, produced from several grapes, most often Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache. Medium-bodied with red plum and blackberry fruit flavors, the wines have medium tannins and are suggested to be served within three to five years of the vintage, while a few top drinks can hold up to seven or eight years.

The Côtes du Roussillon Villages blend allows: Carignan (maximum 60%), Syrah, Mourvèdre (minimum 30%), Grenache noir, and Lladoner. In addition, a minimum of three varieties are allowed in the blend.

Due to diverse soils and grapes, the wines can slightly differ in character, but they are naturally strong and tannic with fruity notes that are complemented by herbal, spicy, mineral, and earthy nuances. Most of them are full-bodied, deep, and described with cherries and blackberry jam on the palate. These wines pair well with white or red meat, and cheese.

Food to pair with Côtes du Roussillon Villages Wines

1.Pot-au-feu

Pot-au-feu is a classic French dish with a stew-like dish of cooked meat and vegetables. Pot-au-feu, French for “pot on the fire”, is one of the oldest French winter dishes. However, it is not as simple as it seems.

It was originally made over a fire with cheap cuts of meat, vegetables such as potatoes, onions, carrots, leeks and turnips, and whatever other ingredients were available. Its main duty was to warm up the person during the cold winter.

This dish needs low cooking temperature and a long cooking time to make the meat tender, sometimes even a whole day. As it is one of the most famous dishes in France, every region has its own variant, however, the standard line among all of them is that the broth is served first and the meat second.

With its wonderful aromas, tender meat, a serving of pot-au-feu paired with a glass of dry red wine from Côtes du Roussillon Villages is a wonderful experience.

2. Tournedos Rossini

Tournedos Rossini is a famous dish from French cuisine. This food was created in honor of the legendary composer (and noted gourmand) Gioacchino Rossini. The authentic recipe is rich, elegant, and uses only the finest ingredients available: 2 pieces of beef tenderloin placed on rounded slices of toasted sourdough bread, well garnished with sautéed foie gras and slices of black Périgord truffle.

The last ingredient for the dish is Madeira demi-glace sauce, which is added at the end of cooking. The best wine for the sauce is a medium-dry wine. However, you can accompany the dish with any local wine.

3.Canard à l'orange

Canard à l'orange is a popular French dish, which is made with roasted duck. This food is mostly served with a creamy brown sauce that's flavored with sugar and orange juice. Canard à l'orange is normally prepared with a duck breast known as Magret.

Magret is a bit bigger, about twice the size of a normal duck breast. The duck should be cooked so that it still remains pink on the inside, and the coexisting sauce consists of red wine vinegar, orange juice, sugar, chicken stock, and sugar.

The dish is usually decorated with orange pieces on the side. It is believed that the canard à l'orange was shipped to France by Catherine de Medici. However, some think that the food dates back to the ancient Middle East. We recommend tasting this dish with Côtes du Roussillon Villages wine.

Places to visit near Côtes du Roussillon Villages

1.Cité de Carcassonne

Cité de Carcassonne was founded during the Roman period. It derives prestige from its 3 kilometers long dual surrounding walls interspersed by 52 towers. The town has about 2,500 years of history and has been occupied in different ages by Romans, Visigoths, and Crusaders.

The Roman guards were in place by 333 AD, when the town was described as a castellum. Each tower was semicircular and about 14 meters tall. There were probably 40 main entrances to the town. The citadel was restored at the end of the 19th century. Later in 1997, it gained UNESCO World Heritage Sites status.

2.le sentier des ocres

If you want to travel near Côtes du Roussillon Villages, one of the options would be to see the amazing le Sentier des Ocres in the Roussillon region. The village of Roussillon attracts thousands of visitors each year because of its panoramic red buildings, which are built from ochre, a mineral that naturally ensues in the surrounding cliffs. Throughout the 18th century, ochre was used as a coloring in the fabric industry, and hundreds of people operated in Roussillon’s quarries.

Le Sentier des Ocres is a path through one of Roussillon’s ancient ochre quarries. There are two routes to choose from, one that takes 30 minutes to hike and a more extended one that lasts one hour. It’s a wonderful way to see the red sand up close, and there are lots of animals as well as attractive Provençal plants to uncover.

Frequently Asked Questions about Côtes du Roussillon Villages