Côtes du Roussillon AOC

The vineyards of Côtes du Roussillon covers large parts of the department of Pyrénées- Orientales within the city of Perpignan, making it by far the largest appellation in the Roussillon wine-growing region. The vineyards cover 5,537 hectares in 125 municipalities. The area has since March 28, 1977 on the status of an Appellation d' Origine ( AOC short ). In the south, the area is bordered by the appellation Collioure. In the north the higher classified Côtes du Roussillon -Villages joins with 25 municipalities. Four communities there may record their names in the form of Côtes du Roussillon Villages Caramany, Cotes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France, Cotes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde, Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel on the label and thus enjoy a special status.

Generally, a harvest restriction to 50 hectoliters / hectare is prescribed.

Red wine

Red wines must be made at least three varieties, including two main varieties are blended. The main varieties are Carignan (since 1993, its share up to 60 %), Grenache, Cinsault and Lledoner Pelut. As a side places are Syrah, Mourvedre and the white grape Macabeo ( max. 10 %). The combined share of the varieties Syrah and Mourvèdre is at least 20 %.

The generated spectrum of wines is very broad, ranging from freshly removed fruity wines that need to be drunk young to high-quality wines that are aged in oak barrels.

The minimum alcohol content is 11.5 % by volume.

Rosé wines must come from at least three varieties, including two main varieties are blended. The main varieties are Carignan (since 1993, its share up to 60 %), Grenache, Cinsault and Llledoner Pelut. As a side places Syrah, Mourvedre and the white grape Macabeo apply ( max. 30 %). The combined share of the varieties Syrah and Mourvèdre is at least 20 %.

The rose wines are produced in Saignée process.

The minimum alcohol content is 11.5 % by volume.

White wine

The white wine is made from the Grenache Blanc, Macabeo, Torbato ( here Malvasia de Roussillon or Tourbat Blanc called ), Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino (called role ) blended.

The combined share of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino must not exceed 50 % share.

The white wines are usually the fruit of the Macabeo, the structure of Grenache Blanc and occasionally marked by finesse and acidity of Tourbat Blanc.

The minimum alcohol content is 10.5 % by volume.

Approved communities

Amélie- les- Bains- Palalda, Ansignan, Arboussols, Argelès -sur -Mer, Bages, Baho, Baixas, Banyuls -dels- Aspres, Bélesta, Bouleternère, Brouilla, Cabestany, Caxias, Calce, Camélas, Canet, Canohès, Caramany Cases-de - Pène, Cassagnes, Castelnou, Caudiès -de- Fenouillèdes, Ceret, Claira, Corbère, Corbère- les- Cabanes, Corneilla -la- Rivière, Corneilla -del- Vercol, Elne, Espira -de- l'Agly, Espira -de- Conflent Estagel, Estoher, Felluns, Finestret, Fosse, Fourques, Ille -sur- Tet, yoke, Lansac, Laroque -des- Albères, Latour -Bas- Elne, Latour- de -France, L' Ecluse, Lesquerde, Le Boulou Le Soler, Le Vivier, Llauro, Llupia, Marquixanes, Maureillas, Maury, Millas, Montalba- le -Château, Montauriol, Montescot, Montesquieu, Montner, Néfiach, Oms, Opoul, Ortaffa, Palau -del- Vidre, Passover, Perpignan, Peyrestortes, Pézilla -de- la- Rivière, Pézilla -de- Conflent, Pia, Planèzes, Le Soler, Ponteilla, Prats -de- Sournia, Prugnanes, Rasiguères, Reynès, Rigarda, Riunoguès, Rivesaltes, Rodès, Saint -André, Saint- Arnac, Sainte -Colombe -de- la- Commandery, Saint- Cyprien, Saint- Esteve, Saint- Feliu - d'Amont Saint- Féliu - d'Avall, Saint- Genis- des- Fontaines, Saint -Hippolyte, Saint -Jean- Lasseille, Saint- Jean-Pla -de- Corts, Saint- Martin, Saint -Michel -de- Llottes, Saint- Nazaire, Saint -Paul -de- Fenouillet Sale Illes, Salses, Sorède, Sournia, Taillet, Tarerach, Tautavel, Terrats, Thuir, Tordères, Toulouges, Tresserre, Trévillach, Trilla, Trouillas, Villelongue -dels- Monts, Villemolaque, Villeneuve -de- la- Raho, Villeneuve- la- Rivière, Vinça, Vingrau, Vivès.