Surrounded by three mountain ranges in a natural amphitheatre opening to the Mediterranean Sea, Roussillon is a hidden gem of quality wines in the south of France.
In the first ever Roussillon ‘Coup de Coeur’ blind tasting event, held on 27 March 2024 in London, a team of UK wine writers selected what they deem to be the 12 finest examples of Roussillon wines available in the UK market. With the aim of shedding light on this often-overlooked region, the experts tasted approximately 100 wines across a range of styles and selected the 12 top bottles that showcased the best that Roussillon has to offer.
A region rich in history and geographic wonders
Once belonging to the kingdom of northern Spain, Roussillon boasts a Catalan influence interwoven with its southern French style. Like much of the surrounding regions, Roussillon benefits from a near-perfect Mediterranean climate, influenced by the sea of the same name which borders the eastern part of the region, as well as three mountain ranges: the northern Corbières, the western Pyrenees and the southern Albères.
In addition, there are eight types of wind that blow across the 14 AOPs and two IGP certifications. Variety is key in Roussillon, where there are many micro-terroirs across various soil types, as well as 24 grape varieties regularly grown in styles as diverse as still dry white, rosé and red wines and the fortified sweet Vins Doux Naturels.
A leader in France for organic and biodynamic viticulture, 35% of the region’s vineyard is certified organic. While today’s winemakers undoubtedly honour a history and methodology passed down by winemakers over generations, Roussillon is also one of France’s most innovative wine regions today, experimenting with modern techniques alongside historical know-how.
Exciting wines to discover
As the 12 top bottles from this first edition of Coup de Coeur show, there’s never been a better time to discover the breadth and quality of wines from Roussillon in the UK.
Roussillon ‘Coup de Coeur’ 2024
Whites
Domaine des Soulanes, Vieilles Vignes Blanc, IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, France 2021
50% Grenache Gris, 50% Carignan Gris
Theatre of Wine RRP £27
Le Soula, Le Soula Blanc, IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, France 2018
54% Vermentino, 22% Sauvignon Blanc, 14% Grenache Blanc, 6% Marsanne & Roussanne, 4% Maccabeu
Christopher Keiller Fine Wine Services RRP £32
Domaine Gardiés, Clos des Vignes Blanc, AOP Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, France 2022
60% Grenache Blanc, 35% Grenache Gris, 3% Maccabeu, 2% Roussanne
Strictly Wine RRP £33.99
Domaine Madeloc, Tremadoc Blanc, AOP Collioure, Roussillon, France 2022
60% Grenache Gris, 30% Vermentino, 10% Roussanne
Strictly Wine RRP £23.99
Reds
Le Soula, Le Soula Rouge, IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, France 2015
53% Carignan Noir, 37% Syrah, 10% Grenache Noir
Tanners Wines RRP £35
Domaine Treloar, Motus, AOP Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, France 2019
70% Mourvèdre, 30% Syrah
Leon Stolarski Wines RRP £19.99
Domaine Madeloc, Serral Rouge, AOP Collioure, Roussillon, France 2020
60% Grenache Noir, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah
Strictly Wine RRP £23.99
Terres Fidèles, Côtes du Roussillon Villages Organic, AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Roussillon, France 2021
30% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah, 40% Carignan Noir
Cheers Wine Merchants RRP £16.99
Jonquères d’Oriola Vignobles, Château de Corneilla, Cavalcade, AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages les Aspres, Roussillon, France 2020
50% Syrah, 25% Grenache Noir, 25% Mourvèdre
The Wine Society RRP £13.50
Vins Doux Naturels
Sélection Parcé Frères, 20 ans (NV), AOP Rivesaltes Ambré (Amber), Roussillon, France
70% Grenache Gris, 15% Grenache Blanc, 15% Maccabeu
The Wine Society RRP £25
Sélection Parcé Frères, Rivesaltes 1982, AOP Rivesaltes Tuilé (Tawny), Roussillon, France 1982
100% Grenache Noir
The Wine Society RRP £45
Mas Amiel, 20 Years Old, AOP Maury Doux Tuilé (Tawny), Roussillon, France
90% Grenache Noir, 5% Carignan Noir, 5% Maccabeu
Georges Barbier Wines RRP £42
Discover more about Roussillon ‘Coup de Coeur’
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