The Wines of Roussillon

The epithet ‘hidden treasure’ may be overused but it can truly be applied to the often-overlooked wine region of Roussillon. Tucked into the southernmost corner of France, Roussillon’s reputation was founded on the popularity of its Vins Doux Naturels, which were particularly celebrated in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries but have declined in popularity since the 1980s. Partly in response to this, over the last 20 years levels of production have shifted in favour of table wines, or vins secs, as they are known locally. Roussillon’s winemakers are still fine-tuning their talent for vins secs, but many have already created exciting, original and delicious wines; red, white and pink, as well as orange. In The Wines of Roussillon, Rosemary George MW takes us on a journey through the hilly landscape, revealing the huge variety of soil types and micro climates the region offers and explaining how viticulture is tackled in its rugged, sloping vineyards. Producer profiles make up the major part of the book; while some are continuing a long family tradition, the region has also seen an influx of winemakers from outside Roussillon attracted by the relative affordability of land or the excitement of helping to develop the region’s identity. Complete with vintage assessments and thorough appendices, this book is an eye-opening treat for wine lovers keen to make new discoveries.