A large, old appellation, Rivesaltes was named after the town of Rivesaltes, meaning ‘High River Banks’ in Catalan. Crossed by three rivers – the Agly, the Têt and the Tech – which have moulded the land into tiered terraces and hills, the Rivesaltes vineyards span across a range of very different soils:
- white soils, such as the pebbles of the mid and high terraces or the granitic sand of the Albères
- red soils, such as the clay and mud are found at the foot of the Corbières or in the Aspres
- black or brown soils, such as the schist of the Agly valley
This variety of contours and soils explains the diversity of the many terroirs, each of which are relatively small. Micro-climates further accentuate these differences.
The decree of 29 December 1997 regarding appellation identifies four main types of Rivesaltes:
Rivesaltes ambrés are produced using white or ‘grey’ varietals (Grenache Blanc or Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Malvoisie du Roussillon, Muscat). Aged in an oxidative environment for at least 2 years in large containers (vats or oak foudres), they have a beautiful dark golden or amber colour and are identified by their aromas of hazelnut, almond, nut husks, crystallized citrus fruits and roasting.
Rivesaltes grenat are bottled young (with a minimum of 75% Grenache Noir) and kept in a reducing atmosphere for at least 12 months, three of which are in bottles. They boast a deep colour and aromas of red berries (cherry, blackcurrant, raspberry, blackberry).
Rivesaltes tuilés (with a minimum of 50% Grenache Noir) are aged in large containers in contact with the air for at least two years. They develop the colour of red Rivesaltes, and take on an attractive reddish-brown colour, with hints of yellow and orange. They develop aromas of coffee, cocoa, tobacco and crystallized fruits (figs, prunes, strawberries, quince).
The name ‘hors d’âge’ can be added to ‘ambré’ and ‘tuilé’ for wines from the Rivesaltes appellation that have been aged for at least five years after being made. Most of them are aged for a much longer period, which can be as long as 20 years.
Technical data:
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AOC Rivesaltes
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AOC
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Rivesaltes
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Country
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France
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Region
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Languedoc-Roussillon
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Wine producing region
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Roussillon
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Decree in force
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29 December 1997
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Type of wine
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Vin Doux Naturel
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Colour
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Ambré, Red, Tuilé
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Authorised varietals
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Red and Tuilé wines
Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris
Macabeu, Tourbat known as Malvoisie du Roussillon
Ambré Wines
Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris
Muscat à petits grains, Muscat d’Alexandrie
Macabeu, Tourbat known as Malvoisie du Roussillon
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Secondary varietals
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Carignan Noir, Cinsault, Syrah, Listan
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Special characteristics
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Secondary varietals no more than 10% of the total varietal mix on the same plot, provided that the vines were planted before this decree was published.
Tuilé Wines
Wines matured in an oxidative environment:
Grenache Noir at least 50% of the varietal mix
Red Wines
Wines matured in a reducing environment:
Grenache Noir at least 75% of the varietal mix
Ambré Wines
Wines matured in an oxidative atmosphere:
Muscat no more than 20 % of the varietal mix
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Villages
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86 villages in the Pyrénées-Orientales, 9 in the Aude
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Density
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3,700 vines/hectare
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Max. authorised yield
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30 hl/ha
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Average yield (finished wine)
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18 hectolitres/hectare
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Strength
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252 g sugar per litre, i.e. 14.4° minimum potential alcoholic content
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Must
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Addition of pure alcohol during fermentation limited to between 5 % and 10 % of the must volume using alcohol measuring at least 96°
Finished wines
Total minimum strength of 21.5° (acquired and potential alcoholic content) minimum of 15° acquired alcoholic content
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2002 surface area
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8,127 hectares
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2002 yield
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147,754 hectolitres
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Source CIVR
Tél. +33 4 68 51 21 22 / Fax. +33 4 68 34 88 88
