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Rivesaltes AOC

Coordinates: 42°46′11″N 2°52′29″E / 42.7697°N 2.8747°E / 42.7697; 2.8747
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Rivesaltes AOC
Wine region
A 2001 Rivesaltes Ambré
TypeAOC - AOP
Year established1936, 1972
CountryFrance
Part ofLanguedoc-Roussillon
Soil conditionsPoor and dry
Size of planted vineyards5,200 ha (13,000 acres)[1]
Varietals producedGrenache noir, Grenache gris, Grenache blanc, Macabeu, Malvoisie
No. of wineries1,787 harvest declarants and 174 cellars
Wine produced127,000 hl (2,800,000 imp gal; 3,400,000 US gal)[1]
CommentsProduces red or white vin doux naturel

Rivesaltes (/ˈriːvˈsɔːlt/) is an appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) for naturally sweet, fortified wines (vin doux naturel). The name refers to both a production region within Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France, and the style of sweet wines produced there.

Attributes

Rivesaltes is made in the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region, around the commune of Rivesaltes in southern France, historically and culturally part of Northern Catalonia. They are similar to Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC wines, except the grape varieties are not restricted to Muscat. The wines are red or white. The four main grapes used are Grenache noir, Grenache blanc, Grenache gris, and Macabeu; accessory varieties used include Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat of Alexandria. Rivesaltes blanc, using white grapes, appears amber in color, while Rivesaltes rouge appears darker.[1]

Styles can be labeled ambré (amber), grenat (garnet), tuilé (tiled), or rosé, provided they meet certain conditions. These wines can also be labeled rancio [fr] (rancid or aged) or hors d'âge (beyond age) provided they meet further conditions.[2] Rivesaltes ambré requires aging in an oxidative environment for two or more years. Garnet wines must have 75 percent Grenache noir and storage in an oxidative environment for a 12-month minimum, including 3 months in bottles. Tuilé wines must age in contact with air for at least two years; Rivesaltes rancio is for ambré or tuilé wines aged for a 5-year minimum.[1]

Rivesaltes can have an affordable price, sometimes less than €10 (about $13 USD) a bottle. Some of these, especially the related Muscat de Rivesaltes, are not considered quality wines.[3]

Rivesaltes often as aromas and flavors of raisins and other dried fruit, nuts, smoke, resin,[4] chocolate, and caramel, browned sugar or molasses.[5] Rivesaltes made with white grapes can gain aromas of vanilla, baked cherries, and honey.[1] Due to the winemaking process, Rivesaltes is relatively shelf-stable when open, and can remain at room-temperature for several days without losing quality.[4]

Rivesaltes is typically served slightly chilled.[6]

Geography

Map of Rivesaltes AOC within the Pyrénées-Orientales department
A vineyard in Rivesaltes AOC, by the Canigó

The region, of about 5,200 ha (13,000 acres), has a Mediterranean climate. It is located over a large portion of the Pyrénées Orientales, around the commune of Rivesaltes. The region has various soil types, including pebbles, granite, clays, silts, and schists. It is crossed by three rivers that traverse the area from west to east, draining into the Mediterranean. They are, listed north to south: the Agly, Têt, and Tech.[1]

Vineyards in the region are commonly on terraces and hills.[1]

Winemaking

The production process, known in France as mutage, is similar to that used to make Port, and dates to the 13th century.[1] A neutral grape spirit is added to the must to halt fermentation while sugar levels are still high, preserving the natural sweetness of the grape. The wines are then matured, sometimes in oak barrels, or typically outside in glass bottles (called demijohns or bonbonnes) for a year. While in the sealed bottles, the wine is exposed to sun, rain, temperature swings, and extreme weather; the heat allows the wine to maderise. The wine then matures in barrels for a minimum of four years. The resulting wine bears a similarity to tawny port but tends to be lower in alcohol (~16 percent vs. ~20 percent).[4]

History

Rivesaltes AOC was created in 1936. In 1972, a new Rivesaltes AOC was created, combining Rivesaltes, Côtes d'Agly, and Côtes de haut Roussillon.[7]

By the 2020s, global climate change began to affect the climate of Rivesaltes AOC. Among earlier harvest dates in France, vineyard owners in Rivesaltes have begun picking their grapes at nighttime, as daytime temperatures reach 40 °C (104 °F). Weather in 2020 included heavy springtime rain, mildew in the summer, and an absence of the Tramontane sea breeze.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h https://avis-vin.lefigaro.fr/connaitre-deguster/tout-savoir-sur-le-vin/guide-des-regions-et-des-appellations/roussillon/appellation-rivesaltes
  2. ^ https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000023941420
  3. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/15/dining/15iht-wine15.html
  4. ^ a b c https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/rivesaltes-french-fortified-wine
  5. ^ https://www.thedailymeal.com/rivesaltes-complicated-wine-explain-easy-wine-drink
  6. ^ https://www.thedailymeal.com/rivesaltes-complicated-wine-explain-easy-wine-drink
  7. ^ https://www.inao.gouv.fr/eng/produit/6089
  8. ^ https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexledsom/2020/09/12/how-climate-change-is-altering-your-favourite-glass-of-wine/?sh=61a126e74491

42°46′11″N 2°52′29″E / 42.7697°N 2.8747°E / 42.7697; 2.8747

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