Maury

4.2/5See all 1,282 reviews

Maury wine

The small Maury wine region is located in the Pyrénées-Orientales, northwest of Perpignan, primarily within the 1,000 hectares of the commune of Maury and in certain localities of the neighboring communes of Tautavel, Saint-Paul de Fenouillet, and Rasiguères. The vineyard is protected to the north by the Corbières mountain range and to the south by the steep foothills of the Pyrenees, forming a natural corridor 17 km long and 4 km wide. Of the 1,000 hectares of black soil within the appellation zone, 90% are planted with Grenache Noir, even though the A.O.C. decree requires only 70% of this variety, supplemented by Carignan and Syrah. The white wines are made from Grenache Blanc and Gris, Macabeu, Malvoisie du Roussillon, Muscat d’Alexandrie, and Petits Grains. Maury wines, with their deep red color, can age for 20 years or more—far longer than the minimum required by current legislation (12 months). The wines offered by Mas Amiel are particularly noteworthy. These include the Maury “Vendange,” “Récolte,” and “Vintage” wines, aged for a minimum of twelve months, which are powerful, complex wines with notes of black fruit. The red Maury wines, which are oxidized, feature notes of dried fruit, cocoa, and coffee. Maury white wines, aged for a minimum of twelve months, feature notes of white-fleshed fruits and citrus, evolving over time into aromas of jammy and honeyed fruits. Maury Hors d’âge wines are aged for a minimum of five years in an oxidative environment. Finally, Maury Rancio wines acquire their “Rancio” flavor profile through aging.

Maury wine, a sweet wine native to the Roussillon region

The Roussillon region is renowned for its wines known as “mutés.” This means that the fermentation process is paused briefly so that distilled alcohol can be added. This technique results in extremely sweet and natural wines. Maury falls into this category. It’s perfect for pairing with desserts, for example. This wine highlights the Grenache grape, whether red or white.

The Characteristics of Maury

The characteristics of this appellation (AOC Maury) depend on several factors. The grape variety used, the blend, the aging period, and the type of aging chosen. If the wines are aged in a so-called “oxidative” environment, they will be called “tuilés” reds or “amber” whites. Whereas in a reductive environment (without oxygen), the result will be white Maury, red Maury, or “Grenat” Maury.

Color: The color of red Maury wines ranges from orange-mahogany to ruby; it can even appear brick-red at times. White Maury wines have a golden-yellow color that evolves toward amber over time. Nose: The aroma is quite intense, strongly marked by notes of morello cherry, as well as blackberries and red berries. The aging process chosen for these wines further enhances this aroma, adding nuances of spices, dried fruit, wax, leather, and coffee. Palate: Red Maury wines are powerful and complex, featuring notes of black fruit that evolve into aromas of dried fruit, cocoa, and coffee. Maury whites are sweet and fruity, with notes of white-fleshed fruits and citrus, evolving into aromas of candied and honeyed fruits. How to enjoy a Maury wine Maury Vin Doux Naturels are wines that can be enjoyed on their own. Nevertheless, they pair very well with desserts. The reds pair perfectly with chocolate desserts, while the whites go very well with sugar-topped crêpes, for example. So-called “sweet-and-salty” dishes (tajine, duck with cherries, curry, etc.) pair very well with Maury wines. Melon and foie gras also pair well with these wines. If you’re a big cheese lover, Maury wines will also win you over. If you enjoy blue cheeses, goat cheese, or Brie, we recommend choosing a red Maury. For the best tasting experience, Maury wines should be served at a temperature of around 14–15 degrees. They can, however, be served at a cooler temperature as an aperitif.

For more information, visit the website at Maury