AOC Côtes du Roussillon Villages

History of the AOC Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages

The AOC Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages is deeply rooted in the Languedoc-Roussillon vineyard in southern France, renowned for its exceptional red wines. Its history dates back to antiquity when the Greeks first planted vineyards in the region as early as the 7th century BC. Today, the AOC Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages spans four communes: Latour-de-France, Tautavel, Caramany, and Lesquerde, focusing on the production of exceptional red wines.

Climate and Terroir of the AOC Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages

Climate: The Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers, contributes to the perfect ripening of the grapes. The proximity of the Pyrenees also brings beneficial coolness.

Soils: The terroir is heterogeneous, with a predominance of schist, gneiss, and clay, giving the wines great complexity and unique structure.

Key Grape Varieties of the AOC Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages

The AOC Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages is characterized by red wines made primarily from Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Lledoner Pelut, and Carignan. These red grape varieties each bring their unique character, creating rich and varied blends.

Style of AOC Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages Wines

Appearance: The wines of the AOC Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages have a deep red color with shades of purple and black cherry.

Nose: The aromatic bouquet is rich, dominated by notes of ripe black fruits, garrigue, spices, and sometimes vanilla or toasted notes from barrel aging.

Palate: On the palate, these wines are powerful and complex, with well-present but elegant tannins. The balance between creaminess and intense aromatics offers a beautiful, long finish.

Serving Temperature: Ideally between 16°C and 18°C (60°F - 64°F).

Aging Potential: These wines have good aging potential, ranging from 3 to 8 years or more, depending on the vintage and the estate.

Best Food Pairings with a Wine from AOC Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages

Here are some recipe ideas to enhance your tasting experience with a red wine from a domain or château in AOC Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages:

• Game Stew: Rich and hearty, game stews pair well with the robust tannins and complex flavors of the wine.
• Stuffed Birds ("Alouettes sans tête"): The savory and herbal flavors in this dish complement the wine's notes of garrigue and spices.
• Duck Breast Fillets: The wine's fruitiness and tannins balance the richness and slight sweetness of duck.
• Wild Boar Sausage: The intense flavors of wild boar match well with the powerful and spicy character of the wine.
• Cassoulet de Castelnaudary: This traditional, slow-cooked dish with beans and various meats pairs beautifully with the wine's complexity and body.