A.O.C./A.O.P.
AC Côtes du Roussillon Overview: AC Côtes du Roussillon covers an area stretching south of the Corbières down to the Albères on the Spanish border. 118 towns and villages in Pyrénées-Orientales qualify for the appellation which lines the Roussillon plain and climbs the surrounding hillsides. Several distinct sub-zones have been identified: the Agly, Têt and Tech valleys, the Aspres (a site-specific area embracing 37 towns and villages which can feature on labels), the Albères and a coastal strip skirting the Mediterranean. The soils are generally littered with stones and run the gamut from red clay, granite, shale and gneiss to calcareous clay. The terrain is rugged, formed of rolling hills and poor, arid terraces (the Aspres, Fenouillèdes, Corbières and Albères hills). Summers are hot and rainfall occurs mainly in the autumn. The ripening process is enhanced by plentiful sunshine.
Grape varieties: Vins rouges, rosés : carignan, grenache, lladoner pelut, syrah, mourvèdre, maccabéo. Vins blancs secs : Maccabéo, tourbat
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the ubiquitous red wines are required by law to come from a blend of at least three of the following varieties: Carignan (60% maximum), Cinsault, Lladoner Pelut, Syrah, Mourvedre (at least 10% for the last two) and Macabeo (10% maximum rising to 30% for the rosés). The reds are full-bodied, fat, round, warm, well-constituted wines with good concentration and aromas (ripe red fruit, cherry, prune, wild berries, spices, liquorice). They boast great texture and depth. Try them with stews, grilled meats (lamb), beef stew with peppers, game and cheeses. Wines made by the whole grape fermentation process are sold shortly after the harvest and come primarily from the Carignan grape. The rosés display an intense hue. They are slightly spicy, with aromas of red fruits (cherry), plum and liquorice. They are forward, fruity, full and powerful wines, relatively robust with well-balanced mellowness. The whites are blended from Grenache blanc, Macabeo, Tourbat (also known as Malvoisie in Roussillon), and can be supplemented with Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino (50% maximum). They are delicate, fresh, vigorous, aromatic wines where the predominant aromas are floral. Enjoyable with fish (sardines), shellfish and snails.
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