AOC Collioure

Appellation area

In 1971 for red wines and 1991 for rosé wines, the INAO rewarded their efforts by granting them the AOC. The appellation area extends on Banyuls and Banyuls Grand Cru, on the villages of Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls and Cerbère, with only 529 ha dedicated to the elaboration of red, rosé and white wines.

In 2003, the INAO has recognized the AOC Collioure White, retroactive to the vintage 2002.

Geology

Colluvial soil schistoses

Grapes

Red and rosé wines

  • Main grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre
  • Complementary grapes: Carignan noir, Cinsault, Grenache gris

White wine

  • Grenaches blanc et gris
  • Complementary grapes varieties: Macabeu, Malvoisie, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino

 

Five complementary grapes are allowed:

  • The Tourbat (Malvoisie du Roussillon), with a good acidity, gives nuances of ripe apple (young wine) and moves toward cooked fruits and honey with the ageing.
  • The Macabeu gives to wines aromas of flower and fruits moving on notes of honey.
  • The Marsanne, with low yields, gives smoothness to wines.
  • The Roussanne, full-bodied and complex, develops its aromatic qualities during the maturing in barrels.
  • The Vermentino gives freshness, flavours, fleshy and balance.

Vinification

Elaborated by bleeding or direct pressing, rosé wines are fermented at low temperatures. They are delicious in the year following the harvest. Concentrated, often matured in barrels, red Collioure can not be sold before the 1st of July following the harvest. It can be kept during several years; some of them will express its qualities after 7 to 15 years in bottles.

Key figures

529 ha

Yields

  • The yield is limited at 40 hl/ha.
  • Average yield: 32.78 hl/ha

Average production 2007

17 637 hl

Source CIVR