This AOC is reserved for red wines produced in the 32 villages located within the appellation. Nearly 3000 hectares of vines cling to steep slopes or terraces with schistose, limestone and granite soils, along the banks of the Agly, Verdouble and Maury rivers. Low yields (limited to 45 hectolitres/hectare) are the rule for these red wines with character, which are complex and solid and often suitable for ageing in bottles, particularly because they are matured in casks.

The varietal mix is the same as for red Côtes du Roussillon (Carignan Noir, Grenache Noir, Lladoner Pelut, Syrah, Mourvèdre), with  additional quality constraints.

Four ‘village’ appellations

Four terroirs have been singled out for their originality, specific production methods and optimum quality. The following four villages, where those terroirs are located, now have the right to add their name to the Côtes du Roussillon Villages appellation:

• Latour de France on predominantly brown schist soils
• Caramany on predominantly gneiss soils
• Lesquerde on predominantly granitic sand soils
• Tautavel on predominantly red clay soils on compact limestone

Technical data:

Source: CIVR