AOP Rivesaltes
AOP Rivesaltes produces wonderful Vins Doux Naturels (fortified sweet wines) in 4 main colours: Grenat (garnet), Ambré (amber), Tuilé (Tawny) and Rosé. You might think of them simply as dessert wines but they will surprise you when paired with spicy food or as an ingredient for a cocktail (see link below for the ‘Take the High Road’ cocktail with Rivesaltes Ambré) .
Rivesaltes received its certification in 1936 and its AOP covers 86 communes in the Eastern Pyrenees and 9 in the neighbouring Aude département. Located by the Mediterranean Sea (in the east), surrounded by the Albères mountain range (in the south) and the Canigou mountain (in the west), the area streches over 1,365 hectares.
9 different varietals are used. Whilst garnet wines only use black Grenache, the tawny, amber and rosé Rivesaltes use a selection of black, white and grey Grenache, Maccabeu, Malvoisie (or Tourbat du Roussillon), Muscat à petits grains and Muscat d’Alexandrie.
Vines grow mainly on sandy granitic and gneissic soils, black and brown schists in the north, red limestone-clay and lime at the foothills of the Corbières, sandy clay in the Aspres and rocky terraces along the rivers, gneiss and siliceous clay in the Albères.
The minimum ageing for Rivesaltes Grenat, the youngest style, is eight months whilst both Ambré and Tawny Rivesaltes are aged in an oxidative environment for 30 months minimum. A Rivesaltes called ‘Hors d’Age’ is either a Rivesaltes Ambré or Tuilé matured for a minimum of 5 years (for the youngest vintage in the blend). Rancio also applies to both Ambré ou Tuilé Rivesaltes that acquire ‘Rancio’ characters (nuts, dried fruit) through age and maturation.
Exciting and playful flavours are key here and bring infinite food & wine pairing inspiration:
Rivesaltes Grenat (garnet): Full-bodied wines with rich cherry and blackberry flavours. Their red fruit notes, elegance, crunchiness and subtle sweetness make them chocolate’s best friend.
Rivesaltes Tuilé (tawny): Intense wines with notes of roasted cocoa, coffee, tobacco and dried fruit (prunes, figs).
Rivesaltes Ambré (amber): Complex wines with notes of preserved orange, spiced cake, dried fruits, caramel and sweet spices, perfect for pairing with goat cheese or fresh fruit tarts.
Rivesaltes Rosé: fresh, young wines, with echoes of currants, blueberries and pomegranate.
Stockists for Rivesaltes wines can be found on: wine-seacher.com. For further information, contact : winesofroussillon@otaria.co.uk
You can view a food pairing table on our website: Wines of Roussillon – Food Pairing and ideas for cocktails: Cocktails using Roussillon’s Vins Doux Naturels (winesofroussillon.com)
