Rivesaltes AOC is a Vin Doux Naturel fortified wine from 94 communes listed below, one of which is Rivesaltes itself (see list below) mainly in the Roussillon region with a small part in the Corbières of France. It can be made in various styles listed below. It was once France’s biggest production VDN. The wines are made from Grenache, Macabeu, Malvoisie and Muscat. Most wines are white, with some red from Grenache Noir. The vines age in either inert (stainless steel) tanks or wood. The wines can also be bottled under the Grand Roussillon AOC.
Vineyard area & wine production: 1995 264,000hl from 14,000ha (Guide Hachette des Vins 2004, p.1080). | 2000 131,000hl (Guide Hachette des Vins 2004, p.1080). | 2002 126,180hl (Guide Hachette des Vins 2004, p.1080).
Communes: Argelès-sur-Mer. | Bages. | Baho. | Baixas. | Banyuls-dels-Aspres. | Bélesta. | Le Boulou. | Brouilla. | Cabestany. | Caixas. | Calce. | Camélas. | Canet-en-Roussillon. | Canohès. | Cascastel-des-Corbières. | Cases-de-Pène. | Cassagnes. | Castelnou. | Caves. | Céret. | Claira. | Les Cluses. | Corbère. | Corbère-les-Cabanes. | Corneilla-del-Vercol. | Corneilla-la-Rivière. | Elne. | Espira-de-l’Agly. | Estagel. | Fitou. | Fourques. | Ille-sur-Têt. | Laroque-des-Albères. | Latour-Bas-Elne. | Latour-de-France. | Lesquerde. | Leucate. | Llauro. | Llupia. | Maureillas-las-Illas. | Maury. | Millas. | Montauriol. | Montescot. | Montesquieu-des-Albères. | Montner. | Néfiach. | Opoul-Périllos. | Ortaffa. | Palau-del-Vidre. | La Palme. | Passa. | Paziols. | Perpignan. | Peyrestortes. | Pézilla-la-Rivière. | Pia. | Planèzes. | Pollestres. | Ponteilla. | Rasiguères. | Reynès. | Rivesaltes. | Saint-André. | Saint-Estève. | Saint-Féliu-d’Amont. | Saint-Féliu-d’Avall. | Saint-Génis-des-Fontaines. | Saint-Hippolyte. | Saint-Jean-Lasseille. | Saint-Jean-Pla-de-Corts. | Saint-Nazaire. | Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet. | Sainte-Colombe-de-la-Commanderie. | Saleilles. | Salses-le-Château. | Le Soler. | Sorède. | Tautavel. | Terrats. | Thuir. | Tordères. | Toulouges. | Treilles. | Tresserre. | Trouillas. | Tuchan. | Villelongue-dels-Monts. | Villemolaque. | Villeneuve-de-la-Raho. | Villeneuve-la-Rivière. | Villeneuve-les-Corbières. | Vingrau. | Vivès.
Wine styles
Rivesaltes Ambré AOC: Made from varying proportions of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Maccabeu, Malvoisie, and Muscat. They age oxidatively for at least 24 months in oak (foudres, oak vats or barrels). Amber colour. Dried fruit and nut aromas. Serve with orange peel or milk chocolate.
Rivesaltes Ambré hors d’âge:
Rivesaltes Grenat: Made from Grenache Noir mainly plus other grapes. Bottled young and has a reddish hue as its name suggests.
Rivesaltes Rancio:
Rivesaltes Tuilé: 50-100% Grenache Noir. Among the richest styles due to oxidative ageing. Coffee, prune, nut and tobacco aromas.
Rivesaltes Tuilé hors d’âge: Can be based on either Rivesaltes Ambré or Rivesaltes Tuilé wines (see above) that have been aged in founders, vats or barrels for a minimum of 5 years before bottling (most with have aged far longer).
Wineries
Certified organic: Domaine Jolly-Ferriol (Espira d’Agly).
No certification: Domaine Lafage (Perpignan).
Bibliography
‘A wine from all Reasons’, Harpers Wine & Spirit Weekly 17 September 2004, p.18-19.