An PDO Natural Sweet Wines: treasure on the Mediterranean coast!

The Mediterranean basin brings together the largest wine regions in France. Wine was popular here as early as the ancient Greek and Roman empires. With its long history of grape planting and rich winemaking experience, Mediterranean wines shine in the world. It has become a wine destination that has attracted countless tasters. Today, the Mediterranean region is still generously nurturing fine wines, and AOP Banyuls & Banyuls Grand Cru are one of them.

Geographical Distribution

Banyuls production area is a AOP natural sweet wine and Banyuls Grand Cru production area of 862 hectares. The production area is close to the Mediterranean coast and in the eastern Pyrenees mountain. When the sea waves break against the Banyuls rocky shore, foam glistens in the light. The land catalyzed the birth of fine wines, and the four communes of the Pyrenees-Orientales, Collioure, Port Vander, Banyuls-sur-Mer and Cerbère, became the cradle of these fine wines.

Grape Varieties

The grape varieties are the different grapes used to make the wine. According to the principle of controlled designations of origin, each wine-growing region can use certain specific grape varieties, considered traditional. So, what is the secret of grape varieties in AOP Banyuls?

AOP Banyuls wines include Banyuls “Rimage”, amber, tile red, rosé, white wines, and Banyuls Grand Cru wines (only tile red wines).

The main principal varietals required to make these wines are Grenache Black (AOP Banyules wine ≥50%; Banyuls Grand Cru wines ≥75%), Black Grenache, white Grenache, grey Grenache，Muscat à Petits Grains, Muscat d’Alexandrie Macabeu, Tourbat or Malvoisie du Roussillon. In addition, Complementary varietals: (accounting for <10%) include Black Carignan, Cinsault, and Syrah, which are added according to the different attributes of the wine to achieve the best taste.

Terroir

The AOP Banyuls production area faces the sea. The vines can well receive the moist air from the ocean and moisturized by sufficient sunlight, which is conducive to the growth of the fruit and the accumulation of sugar. Vineyards are mainly distributed on the (Cambrian) gray shale on steep mountain slopes. This kind of soil has a shallow soil layer with good breathability, which promotes the downward extension of plant roots and makes the fruit rich in mineral flavors. At the same time, the steep slope has good drainage and is not easily affected by droughts and floods, maximizing the geographical advantage.

Wine Characteristics

We observe – we smell – we taste!

Each bottle of AOP Banyuls has its own merits. To characterize the nose of the wine, we first inhale the wine without turning the glass: it is the 1st nose, which allows to define some aromas. You can smell it a second time by aerating it (the wine is swirled in the glass), which releases the aromas: this is the second nose. The characteristic of wine shows in nose as well as in taste.

Banyuls “Rimage”: wines of complex and elegant texture with notes of small, dark fruit, delicately gourmand.
Banyuls Ambré, Tuilé: romantic wines with notes of preserved fruit, figs and prunes.
Banyuls White: wines with floral notes, mixed with citrus and white fruit.
Banyuls Rosé: young and fresh wines, with notes of currants, blueberries and grenadine.
Banyuls Grand Cru: these wines develop flavors of stewed fruit, spices, mocha, tobacco …; Banyuls Grand Cru can have mentions “Dry”, “Sec” or “Brut

Food Pairing

When pairing food and wine, the flavor and quality of the wine should conform to the dishes, and the two complement each other. The AOP Banyuls natural sweet wine is usually used to match cheese, desserts, dried fruit and other sweet-tasting foods. Using sweet wine with sweets complement each other to increase the sweetness of the complex taste, eliminate excess sweetness in the mouth, and achieve a delicate balance between the two flavors

Chocolate & Banyules Rimage. Chocolate is native to Central and South America. With its rich and rich and unique taste, it is popular all over the world, and it has become an indispensable delicious snack in people’s daily life. With a bite, the sweetness of cocoa lingers on the tip of the tongue. Under the catalysis of temperature, the smooth and dense and delicate taste will slowly bloom in the mouth. It only takes a moment to add a sense of happiness.

Banyuls Rimage is the best match for this delicacy fulling of happiness. It has a rich black fruity aroma, which is juicier and more delicious. It can not only relieve greasiness, but also rich the taste of chocolate. The light texture of the wine itself will not be suppressed the delicate aroma of chocolate.