Maury (AOC)

Maury is an AOC classified wine region in the French Languedoc -Roussillon north-west of Perpignan. There are almost exclusively red grape grown, three quarters of Grenache. Maury is primarily known for its opulent " vins doux naturel ", which are comparable with port wines.

History

In the 13th century, was confirmed to be of the Templars viticulture. Arnald of Villanova, physician at the court of Pope Clement V in Aragon, understood the distillation and preservation of wine. But he brought the distillation apparatus from Andalusia in southern France and is now considered the first Eau de vie the already alcohol-rich inherently wines added to stop the fermentation and thus to obtain the high sugar content. The term " naturel " ( natursüß ) will handle these situations. In contrast to the port wines only 10 percent Eau de vie may be added in the AOC Maury. The base wines must have at least 15 % alcohol. When this port wine base wine alcohol content is not fixed and it may be added up to 20 percent of brandy. The for " Vin doux naturel " intended area has 507 ha: p 204

Geographical Location

The AOC Maury is located in the northernmost wine region of Languedoc. It extends over 17 × 3 km along the southern slopes of the Massif des Corbières within the four municipalities of St. -Paul -de- Fenouillet, Maury, Tautavel and Rasiguères. Maury is hilly and is situated slightly higher than the two adjacent and similar regions of Banyuls and Rivesaltes. The soil is very homogeneous and consists almost entirely of thin brown slate. Maury is a very hot and dry terroir, hence the low level of basic income.

Well-known wineries

• Domaine Mas Amiel (155 ha)
• Cave Desiré Esteve ( Domaine La Coume du Roy ) (25 ha)
• Domaine Pouderoux (16 ha): p 206