8.2 Roussillon

Question 1

The growing environment of Roussillon?

Answer 1

Roussillon

• Small. 21000 ha (vs 220th in Languedoc
• VY on slopes of Pyrenees (no flat land/hi vol) ; 70% AOC,
• Prod: 25% VDN, balance 50/50 AOC / PGI dry wines
• Co-ops prod 70%: maj R, then P, small vol W

Climate

• Mediterranean: warm, windy, mod rainfall (600mm pa), high sunshine hours
• Low disease pressure / risk of drought
  
  • Reduces yield (better Q fruit), organic easier

Varieties (sim but fewer than Languedoc)

• GrenN; Syrah; Mourvedre; Carignan
• Macabeu (Viura)

VY

• Trad bush > prov shade > hand labour
• VSP > where possible on flatter land

Question 2

Describe the 3 Roussillon appellations

Answer 2

Côtes du Roussillon AOC (R, W, P) 48hl/ha

• Lower slopes of the Pyrenees (100-250m)

Cotes du Rouss Villages AOC(R only) 45hl/ha

• 100 - 400m - cooling alt>higher acid
• Hot dry env means yelds lower than max
• 5 villages can append name to CduRoussVill @42hl/ha
• More hand labour (cost)

Collioure AOC (maj R & W) 40hl/ha

• along coast of Spanish border - corresponds to Banyuls AOC Fortified
• Terraces above Med Sea
• Typical yield 20-25hl/ha due to low rain, poor soil, consistently high concentrtion (sim to Languedoc Sub-Appellation)

Red wines

• Principal var: Carignan; GSM
• Blend: min two varietals, one varietal can’t be > 80%
• Similar in quality and price to Languedoc AOC
  
  • m int blackberry, plum, m tannin, m acid, m alc, m body
  • A/G; inexp - mid price
  • (use of carbonic mac - for managing carignan tannin)

Question 3

The IGP that covers Roussillon?

Answer 3

IGP Cotes Catalanes

• Covers Pyrennes-Orientales department
• Used for red and white wines
• Includes some super premium whites – Domaine Gauby

Question 4

Wine business of Roussillon

Answer 4

• Cooperatives are very important in the region – 75%
• Increasing number of high quality focussed individual wineries
  
  • and set ups from outside the region
    
    • Thunevin-Calvet from Bordeaux
    • Domaine de Bila-Haut, Chapoutier (Rhone)
• 80% of the wines sold in France
• Exports to CN, BE, DE
• Notable producers - makes OS , sprem price wines
  
  • Roussillon - Domaine Gauby
  • Clos de Fees
  • Le Soula