At the eastern end of the Pyrenees, centred around Perpignan, is Roussillon, France’s sunniest and southernmost wine region, where the Mediterranean landscape becomes more dramatic and, stylistically, the wines change too. The natural amphitheatre of mountain ranges and valleys that pour out to the sea, see ancient vineyards clinging to the terraced foothills creating spectacular scenery and it is on such cliffs that the vineyards of Abbé Rous sit. An association of five co-operatives with 750 members, formed in 1950, their vineyards are found around the coastal villages of Banyuls-sur-Mer and Collioure, next to the Spanish border. Their Chardonnay is partially fermented in barrel and aged on its lees giving great texture, whilst the Cornet & Cie, Collioure Blanc undergoes the same winemaking and is a tantalising blend of Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino with a touch of Roussanne. A southern Rhône blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, their Réserve des Peintres red is excellent with grilled meats or tapas. Peintres red is excellent with grilled meats or tapas.
Up in the mountains, further inland, Englishman Mark Walford was wooed by the charm of the region and teamed up with local winemaker Gérard Gauby to resurrect the abandoned vineyards of La Soula. The quality of the wines coming out of this small biodynamically farmed estate is now sky-high, making them highly sought after. The Trigone range comprises their earlier drinking blends; the white is a mix of some seven grape varieties, majoring on Macabeo and Grenache Blanc, while the red is mostly Syrah, full of fresh red berries and earthy complexity.
Run by siblings Véronique and Pierre Boudau, the fourth wine growing generation of their family, the organic Domaine Boudau focuses on high quality, small-scale production red wines. The Le Clos, is all pepper, garrigue and black cherry to ensure plenty of pleasure!
France
