News from Roussillon

In the face of challenging climate conditions that reduced yields by 30-50%, Roussillon producers who were able to nurture their vines to full maturity and retain acidity achieved great quality in 2023. What is striking, and typical of Roussillon’s complex patchwork of micro-terroirs, is how widely reports can differ from... Read More

Roussillon struck Gold at the 2023 Grenaches du Monde competition in New York, winning 53 of the 286 medals awarded. 38 Roussillon wineries shared 4 Double Gold, 36 Gold and 13 Silver medals. 10 of Roussillon’s 13 AOPs and 2 IGPs, made with Grenaches, were recognised: AOP Banyuls, AOP Banyuls Grand Cru,... Read More

Old vines are a significant part of Roussillon’s heritage. In the 1980s and 1990s, when many European wine producers were uprooting indigenous vines in favour of more bankable international varieties, Roussillon vignerons held onto their homegrown stars. Today, the result is a patchwork of mature vines – some almost 150... Read More

Grenaches, Carignans, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Macabeu are often the varietals that spring to mind when considering the signature wines of Roussillon but there is one name in particular which has shaped the fortunes of the region for centuries (going back to Greek Antiquity): Muscat. Muscat is not a single variety but... Read More

Tim Atkin’s 2023 Languedoc Roussillon Special Report, written by Matthew Stubbs MW, was released earlier this month. 220 Roussillon wines were tasted and marked in preparation of the report, covering 13 AOPs and 2 IGPs across red, white, rose and fortified sweet styles. In line with recent trends, Roussillon’s dry... Read More

JamesSuckling.com published its 2023 Languedoc Roussillon Annual Report at the end of August. It features 302 Roussillon wines and results are impressive. In total, 262 wines scored 90 or above (out of the 100 points scoring system). 94 achieved 92 or plus points. Roussillon is described as a “distinctive enclave... Read More

This year, the Grenaches du Monde competition packed its bags and jumped over the ‘pond’ to hold its rounds of judging in New York, USA. It was the first time in the 11-year history of Grenaches du Monde that the competition took place outside Europe, a move that reflects the... Read More

Roussillon’s Mediterranean climate and privileged geographical location bring real advantages to vine production. Although better placed than most to withstand extreme weather events Roussillon is still facing multiple challenges in increasingly unpredictable climatic conditions. The biggest one is water scarcity Roussillon is heading towards a very dry summer. France has... Read More