Wines and spirits Pyrénées-Orientales

The Domaine Riberach winery produces high quality organic wines, which have been awarded the Nature et Progrès label for several years. The result is wines that are typical and that reveal the unique character of their mountain terroir. To be tasted without moderation! Regularly awarded, these wines are among the best of the Fenouillèdes region. Between the sea and the mountains, this former cathedral of wine offers you wine tourism activities all year round.

Domaine Bonzoms has been cultivating 22 hectares of hand-harvested, organic vines since 2009. It's a family story (5 generations since 1827!) and a way of working that's as close to nature as possible. Their philosophy and their wines reflect the authenticity and respect for the traditions of Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel: expressive, very Mediterranean wines that the Petit Futé loves. Come and meet this family, who will share with you their attachment to this arid land so rich in preserved flavors.

Initially sold in pharmacies, Byrrh was soon exported beyond the borders under the title of "tonic and hygienic wine". This aperitif is elaborated thanks to skilful dosages of various aromatic plants, giving it sweet and bitter flavours, then aged for two to three years in oak tuns, one of which is the largest oak vat in the world: 1,200,000 litres! The cellars can be visited and as soon as the weather is fine, sound and light, dramatised visits and guided tours will tell you the incredible story of the Violet brothers.

A guided tour of this great cellar, which is a tribute to the work of men, is well worth the detour to discover its superb and grandiose tuns room, through which you can contemplate the immense two-hundred-year-old vats on either side. A must-see! The visit continues with a tasting of dry and sweet wines. By appointment, the Terres des Templiers wine merchant offers guided tours through the vineyards and tastings of great vintages. As for the welcome, it's impeccable, and the whole team is extremely friendly.

Created in 1895, the Maison Cazes has become the historical standard bearer of Roussillon viticulture. While remaining vigilant about the excellence of its wines produced with limited yields, it offers a wide range of bottles from Catalan terroirs covering 220 hectares, converted to organic and biodynamic agriculture over the last 20 years. During a visit, discover the warm and authentic tasting area and then plunge into the secrets of Roussillon winemaking, including a century-old tun room.

Jean-François and Laurence present highly aromatic, fine, elegant wines, made in the pure tradition of the region's representative grape varieties. This is one of the few wineries that is within walking distance of Perpignan. It is close to the city, yet far from it. The diversity of the wines of this domain is explained by the variety of the soils: the vines are planted on 3 types of soil: limestone on Calce, black schist in Espira de l'Agly and rolled pebbles around the domain. Finally, the other strong point of this domain is the reception in gites.

The Cave Arnaud de Villeneuve has gathered its oldest Rivesaltes vintages in the historic cellar in the centre of the village. In the cellar, which dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, you will discover the stock of barrels, but also the astonishing terrace on which certain wines are matured in glass containers. You will also find the very special atmosphere of a winery: the values of cooperation, solidarity, fairness, transparency, responsibility and trust.

Founded in 1923, Vignobles Dom Brial now manages over 2,500 ha of vines, including the largest Muscat de Rivesaltes vineyard in the Roussillon region. The diversity of this terroir enables us to produce a wide range of cuvées, from sweet to dry wines. Vignobles Dom Brial is committed to a respectful, socially responsible approach, and has been awarded the Vignerons en Développement Durable (Winegrowers in Sustainable Development) label since 2010. Several options are available for a fascinating tour of the vineyard, in the heart of an exceptional landscape explained by dynamic winemakers.

This cellar has the most well-stocked champagne corner in the department. But if its reputation was made around bubbles, one should not forget that the cellarman is a finder of exceptional wines. As he likes to say, he is the specialist of "artisan winemakers" in particular. What the Petit Futé will remember are the memorable themed evenings on one Thursday a month with the winegrowers for private tastings, by invitation. And every other Thursday, tasting evenings with tapas around the barrels laid out on the sidewalk.

The Château de Corneilla was built in the 12th century by the Templars in the heart of Roussillon. Today, Philippe and William Jonquères d'Oriola (26th and 27th generation of winegrowers) produce wines in the 3 colours and VDN, 17 references in total. The vineyards and the olive orchard represent a surface of 100 ha of crops and extend over 5 appellations in Roussillon. The family also produces an organic "Extra Virgin" olive oil.

The miller does not sleep in Trouillas! Stéphane strives to produce a juice with the greatest respect for tradition while mixing in modernity. "A Burgundian way of working", as he himself says, that is to say, as close as possible to his vines, pampering them and pampering them. Hand-picking and the latest wine-making facilities are the expressions of this. There are two reasons to come to La Meunerie: first of all, the place is superb, the restoration of the buildings is exemplary, and secondly, in specialist circles, there is more and more talk about these wines.

The Vassail-Planes family welcomes you to their farm in a convivial way, around a very copious snack, and served with local wines. Foies gras, whole, half-cooked, with figs, with two peppers, with truffles, duck rillettes, confit, magret, terrines and small local dishes. You will have plenty of time during the visit to the farm and the canning factory in the middle of cork and holm oaks to appreciate the daily work of this family.

Since 1976, the Herre and Berçot families have been winegrowers, harvesters and sellers of their own brand: the Cave Tambour. From the meeting between sea and mountain are born spectacular landscapes conquered by force on nature that the domain offers you to discover from the sea by catamaran, from the sky by helicopter and of course from land on foot, by buggy or 4x4. The estate also offers great services in wine tourism: winegrowers' agape, wine tasting initiations with a visit to the winery and theme evenings just to feel the wine bloom with music!

Without waiting for fashions or trends, Jean François cultivates his vines with respect for the earth with a conviction as deeply rooted in the family as a vine in the soil. Ploughing is done with two mules, driven by their traginer (mule driver in Catalan), weeding with 7 sheep and soon cows... The equation between an exceptional terroir and an outstanding winegrower produces delicate and sought-after wines. The yields are very low, the concentration strong and... it is the soul of the Côte Vermeille that you discover at the bottom of the glass!

The Maillol family have been established on their terroir and have been making banyuls since 1611. When you take the route des Mas, in the middle of its powerful slopes where the vines take root, and which forbid any mechanization of the work, you understand better these mountain sculptors that are the winegrowers of here! The cellar and the tasting cellar are still in their juice, which is what makes all the charm. The two brothers organise tasting workshops and offer visits of the vineyard. Passionate winegrowers to discover absolutely.

The list of winegrowers associated with the Caves du Roussillon is not very long, but it is above all very prestigious. Within this rigorous selection at domain prices, we find the tenors of the region, but also some lesser known domains. Not forgetting some Languedoc wines and a fine collection of spirits and sparkling wines. And at the Caves du Roussillon, the whole team always suggests you taste before making your choice. They don't hesitate to uncork a bottle to share their passion with you!

"Bio-altitude wines! "This is how we could define the wines of Patrice and Aliette Bourg. Grown on a living land, more temperate than in the plains and which suffers less from drought, the juices of this nature-loving couple are simply atypical: fresh, balanced in acidity and above all incredibly delicious. Crazy expression of aromas and greediness are the words that come to us instinctively when tasting the nectars of Domaine Grain d'Orient. An undeniable success and a reputation that continues to grow!

Our favorite sommelier (11th in the 2018 competition) takes us on new adventures: a cellar, a wine bar and a dining cellar. Julien selects the best wines from here and elsewhere, looks for the best quality/price ratio and above all... we love him for all the sound advice he gives. The evening is the occasion for afterwork around tapas à la Barcelonaise to accompany a tasting. The place to be for an environment conducive to relaxation and enjoyment. Not forgetting the magical theme nights. We repeat, we love it!

At Josy and Luc's, it's the sun, the passion for the job and the love of the land that you discover at the bottom of a glass. The tasting cellar is at the top of the village and offers a breathtaking view of the bay! The Domaine Sant Jordi has a gîte and superb guest rooms and can host seminars or professional events. Finally, once the visit to the cellar is over, we advise you to come back to the seaside to taste the cuisine of La Table de Jordi. Le Futé fell in love with this couple of cheerful people with a big heart and lots of ideas!

This is the story of 3 wine-loving friends who dreamed of making a great nectar in Roussillon. The vineyard extends over 12 ha at the foot of the Tautavel cirque. Passion and know-how have been making the difference in the glass for about fifteen years. The Racine Carrée cuvées in white and red, aged between 8 and 12 months in barrels are simply magical. Emotion locked in a bottle and also emotion acclaimed by the specialized press! In the cellar, the adorable Ghislaine will make you taste the treasures of the domain and you will be conquered!