AOP Collioure

The AOP Collioure is set in one of France's most spectacular wine-growing landscapes, at the southernmost tip of the Roussillon region, where the Pyrenees plunge straight into the Mediterranean. Here, vines cling to steep hillsides, shaped by generations of winegrowers who built schist terraces to make cultivation possible. This vineyard of relief and light imposes a direct relationship with nature, where each plot is earned and wine is born from a fragile balance between vine, sea and mountain.

The Collioure vineyards develop almost exclusively on extremely poor, highly draining black and brown schist soils. These friable rocks store heat during the day and release it at night, favoring even ripening of the grapes despite high water constraints. The deep rooting of the vines, essential for survival in these conditions, contributes to the concentration and complexity of the wines, while preserving a distinctive mineral framework.

The Mediterranean climate here is exacerbated by the topography and the immediate proximity of the sea. Sunshine is intense, rainfall rare and often concentrated over short periods. Winds, particularly the tramontane, play an essential role in keeping the vines healthy and limiting disease. This combination of heat, light and natural ventilation enables high levels of ripeness to be achieved while preserving the balance of the grapes.

The grape varieties of the AOP Collioure are based on traditional Roussillon grape varieties. Grenache noir forms the basis of red and rosé wines, often complemented by syrah, mourvèdre or carignan. White wines, which are more limited in scope, are based on Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, sometimes combined with Roussanne or Macabeu. These grape varieties, perfectly adapted to the extreme conditions of the vineyard, precisely express the nuances of the schistous terroir.

Organic viticulture is particularly widespread in Collioure, driven by a peasant approach and a desire to preserve a fragile environment. Work is essentially manual, due to steep slopes and the impossibility of mechanization. Yields are naturally low, and every intervention in the vineyard is carefully considered to maintain the balance of the soil and the durability of the terraces. This requirement translates into grapes of great concentration, but also into a faithful expression of the place.

In the cellar, vinification favors precision and restraint. Extractions are adapted to the ripeness of the grapes to preserve the finesse of the tannins and avoid any heaviness. Aging, often in vats or neutral containers, seeks to accompany the wine without masking the expression of fruit and terroir. This approach produces powerful yet readable wines, where each element finds its place.

At tasting, the red wines of Collioure PDO stand out for their intensity and depth. Aromas of black fruits, spices, cocoa and garrigue express themselves frankly, supported by an ample structure and present but well-integrated tannins. The finish, often marked by a saline touch, recalls the proximity of the sea. The whites offer rarer but singular profiles, combining aromatic richness, ripe fruit notes and mineral tension. The rosés, structured and expressive, move away from light profiles to become part of a gastronomic logic.

The food and wine pairings are a natural fit around Mediterranean cuisine with character. Red wines accompany dishes based on grilled meats, rock fish or recipes with iodized and spicy flavors. White wines are ideal with fish, shellfish or sheep's milk cheese. Their structure and salinity make them particularly well-suited to precise, demanding pairings.

The AOP Collioure thus embodies a viticulture of the extreme, where wine is inseparable from its landscape. These wines, born of rock, wind and sea, offer a powerful and authentic expression of a unique terroir, shaped by human effort and the force of the elements.

The AOP Collioure thus embodies an extreme viticulture, where wine is inseparable from its landscape.