portfolio ➜ origin ➜ France ➜ Roussillon
Côte Vermeille IGP
Categories: Rancio Sec/Vi Ranci
Rising from the sea, the vineyards of the Côte Vermeille IGP are coextensive with the Collioure and Banyuls appellations: a patchwork of terraced, schistous slopes looming over the ports—Collioure, Port-Vedres, Banyuls-sur-Mer and Cebère—dotting the final stretch of coastline hard by the Spanish border. The proximity of the sea tempers the warm, dry Mediterranean climate, and many of the wines are marked by a subtle, salty tang. Though grapes like Viognier, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are found and bottled under the IGP, the large majority of the vineyards are given over to the "traditional varieties" destined for Collioure and Banyuls: Grenache blanc, Grenache gris, and Macabeu for white wines; Grenache noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah for the reds. Rancio Sec—unfortified and fully-oxidized—is the region’s most traditional and historic wine, as well as its rarest, and is currently under aegis of the IGP.
Abbe Rous ‘Matifoc’ Rancio Sec NV
France ➜ Roussillon ➜ Côte Vermeille IGP 16.5% ABV
16.5% ABV • Fully Oxidized, Oxidative
A wine of ancient tradition, Abbé Rous ‘Matifoc’ Rancio sec is produced from old-vine Grenache noir and is aged outdoors in old 600-liter Banyuls demi-muids for up to four years before returning to the cellars for continued oxidative aging. The resulting wine is a blend, with an average age of 10-12 years in partially-filled barrels, resulting in its inimitable rancio character. Full details
Terres des Templiers Rancio Sec NV
France ➜ Roussillon ➜ Côte Vermeille IGP 16.5% ABV
16.5% ABV • Fully Oxidized, Oxidative
Terres des Templiers Rancio Sec descends from an ancient tradition preserved by Catalan winemakers of the Côte Vermeille. From old-vine Grenache noir found on its schist-dominated, terraced vineyards overlooking the sea, the wine is first aged out-of-doors in old demi-muids before returning to the cellars of the producer for extended oxidative aging in old Banyuls casks. The wine is a blend with an average age of 10-12 years spent in partially-filled barrels, resulting in its pronounced rancio character. Full details
Tresmontaine ‘Puits aux Souhaits’ Rancio Sec NV
France ➜ Roussillon ➜ Côte Vermeille IGP 15.5% ABV
15.5% ABV • Fully Oxidized, Oxidative
Tresmontaine ‘Puits aux Souhaits’ Rancio sec is the last produced under the auspice of the late winemaker, Bernard Sapéras, who kept it mainly for family and friends. Made from Grenache noir vines with an average age of 70 years and a yield of just 20 hl/ha, it was fermented in old casks over the course of several years before coming to rest in barrels first used for the domaine’s Banyuls blanc. The average age of the blend is 10 years. Full details
