Collioure

The small Collioure vineyard flourishes between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountain range in the southernmost part of the Pyrénées-Orientales department, in the municipalities of Collioure, Port Vendres, Banyuls, and Cerbère. The appellation area overlaps with that of Banyuls and Banyuls Grand Cru, in the municipalities of Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls, and Cerbère. Only around 640 hectares of the appellation's 1,700 hectares are dedicated to producing AOC Collioure, with an annual production of around 19,000 hectoliters, which since 2003 has been available in three colors: white, rosé, and red (red accounting for 70% of production).

In a vast amphitheater facing the sea, the Collioure vineyards consist of small terraces held in place by nearly 6,000 kilometers of dry stone walls, shaped over centuries by generations of winegrowers. The slopes, which can reach 40%, are based on bedrock formed from brown Cambrian schist. The terroir is perfectly showcased in the wines produced by Domaine Coume del Mas, Domaine de la Rectorie, Cave de l'Abbé Rous, and Domaine du Mas Blanc.

In Collioure white wines, grapes from old Grenache gris vines, accompanied by Grenache blanc, bring out the full potential of these terroir wines. This new great wine of the south is perfectly suited to the richness of Mediterranean produce. Early bottling of the rosés allows them to retain their freshness and aromatic intensity. These are rosés with character, structure, power, and richness. The reds, made from Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Carignan Noir, can only be sold on July 1 following the harvest, but the vast majority of winemakers age their wines for a year or more. Collioure wines are full-bodied, warm, concentrated, tannic and improve in the bottle for many years.