Wines and spirits Pyrénées-Orientales

"She had her head in the stars, he had his feet on the ground: in the moonlight, they dreamed of a wine that respects nature and the consumer... On such a noble land, biodynamic work is essential, a work of prevention and not of fight. In the cellar, the vinification is done cold to preserve the taste of the grape: "Our wine must have the taste of this grape! ». The earth is alive and the moon guides the winemaker. Vanessa and Mathieu's wines are like thecall of the forest with a wood fire and a barbecue. A favorite!

The Clos du Rouge Gorge is a small estate of 5 hectares run organically by Cyril Fhal on schist and gneiss terraces. The work of a goldsmith and biodynamics since the beginning. All wine lovers and experts in the wine world know this estate whose wines have contributed to the recognition of the colours of Roussillon beyond our borders. Thank you Cyril for making us enter the big league! His demanding approach, from the "foot of the vine to the glass", is a model for the new generation of winemakers. Refined and distinguished wines!

Philippe is one of the few winegrowers in the Conflent. Low yields, manual pressing, punching of the cap... Minimalist work, old-fashioned and organic agriculture, all sprinkled with a lot of love and passion. Carignan, grenache and syrah will delight your taste buds. The vintages of this "garage wine" (because Philippe vinifies in his garage) are straight and well balanced. The juices are full-bodied, colourful and there is a little sweetness that seduces us. Between 4 and 5,000 bottles per year, no more, so hurry up. We'll say it again, a little wine that's on the rise...

On this terroir of schist blessed by the gods, Sophie and Alain make their vines grow and pamper them "as naturally as possible". Bio-dynamic cultivation and natural vinification and maturing without added sulphur are their credo. This choice to keep the soil alive (without any chemical inputs) is expressed in their cuvées which are just delicious. If you want to initiate yourself to wine tourism, Sophie and Alain propose a discovery itinerary through the vineyards, the medicinal plants and their suberaie (cork oaks).

In Cosprons, a pretty secluded hamlet halfway between Port Vendres and Banyuls, the Cardoner family (grandfather, father and son) cultivates 11 hectares of vines with the passion and simplicity of great men. At Domaine Les Tines, you will discover a beautiful family history in the tradition of Giono's novels. The Cardoner family also has 4 guest rooms with huge terraces (and jacuzzi!) with a plunging view of the Mediterranean. What sharing and happiness!

Pierre Dannoy, a passionate winegrower and a great defender of organic farming, welcomes you to present his natural wines, but also to let you taste his figs, pomegranates, grape juice, jams and olive oil. This man has more than one trick up his sleeve, and depending on the season, there is always something to taste. We love the environment of the domain, wild, arid and so endearing. Pierre's natural wines are fresh and light - a real fruit juice in the mouth! They are perfect for summer meals!

On 10 hectares of clay-limestone soils, Pascal and Jacques run their business brilliantly. They have the wind in their sails and their wines are regularly rewarded by the specialized press. Their wines are powerful while remaining balanced, and the fruit is very present in the mouth. The high altitude terroir preserves the freshness of the wines, and the alcohol takes a back seat. Another reason to go to the Domaine de l'Edre: the setting is purely enchanting - the cirque that stretches between Tautavel and Vingrau is beautiful and invites you to go for beautiful walks.

"I use what nature gives me as material to capture it, transform it, interpret it, refine it to give you a work as close as possible to this raw and noble substance by putting my guts and my heart into it. You have said it all, Raphaël. You make a free and crazy wine, but also a wine made with the greatest respect for biodynamic agriculture and we love it. Nada is a bit of an UFO (unidentified flowing object) in the world of wine, but he has managed to gain the respect of his peers and has the wind in his sails today.

A defender of natural wines without pushing the cork to extremes in the cellar, Philippe cultivates his vineyard (12 ha) with respect for the values of biodynamics, i.e. by refusing the addition of chemical inputs. The vines planted a little higher up on the Maury terroir produce a fine and fresh wine that is quite far from the image one has of the dry wines of the Cru Maury. When the little bather is stripped bare, she reveals a mineral wine with a subtle personality.

All the richness, the difference and the complexity of a high altitude terroir can be found at the bottom of a glass of Domaine du Soula. Red and white wines whose names have become famous: Trigone, Soula or Macération du Soula. Let's be clear, we are talking about exceptional wines. The press and the critics, everyone is talking about this domain and this team that does not have a big head. Wendy and her team will give you the best welcome. The secret of Soula is in two words: a terroir and women. And bravo for the commitment to biodynamic farming!

Gérard Gauby is an exceptional winemaker with an international reputation. Very early on, he was convinced that a natural ecosystem had to be created and preserved. He kept half of the 85 hectares of the estate in woodland, meadows and scrubland, and then quite naturally converted to organic farming. Biodynamic farming was added to the list shortly afterwards. Lionel, his son, who fell in love with grapes at a very young age, accompanies his father today. Rarely do you come across people who speak with such love and respect for nature and their profession. An unmissable domain on the Olympus of the vine.

One place, two wonders: high quality wines conceived and matured by winegrowers respecting an "eco-phyto" charter and a superb cellar to visit. 80 wine growers and a dozen vintages for all palates and budgets. Renovated a few years ago, the building's former unloading docks have been transformed into a tasting room. The highlight of the visit is undoubtedly the ageing cellar for the natural sweet wines located on the first floor. Enchanting!

Initiates, amateurs or curious, you will find your happiness at Côté Cave. A beautiful and warm place that remains simple and friendly. The proof is that workshops are regularly organised to introduce you to the secrets and magic of fermented fruit: "bar-cocktail, sommellerie, in search of the nuggets of Languedoc..." (details on the regularly updated website). And the icing on the cake, every Saturday morning, market day, the owners bring in a winegrower who offers tasting of his wines. Epicureans without moderation!

Charles Perez, artisan winemaker, runs his 25 ha vineyard according to the principles of organic agriculture, vinifying his wines with the aim of minimizing inputs and mechanical processes. Charles' stoutness and bonhomie are the image of his wines: round, sincere and generous! To put it simply, there are two ranges of wines at Mas Becha: the "family portraits", and the plot-based wines with a very small production, generally dedicated to fine dining. And both are regularly praised by the specialized press. We love it!

In the heart of the Aspres lowlands, Jonathan and Rachel cultivate 10 hectares of vines according to ecological and sustainable principles with a nice "natural wine" touch. They claim a traditional and artisanal culture combined with the latest technologies, and it pays off! They are regularly awarded and quoted in major international magazines. But don't think that the Treloars have a big head. You only have to go and meet them at the winery to be convinced. They are people as natural as their wines and they are happy to receive and share their passion.

You are welcomed in the new majestic cellar, which cannot be missed from the road. The tasting room opens onto the vast ageing cellar that can be seen behind the glass (visit by appointment). 60 hectares of vines on black schist and granite soils (Maury and Lesquerdes), cultivated with respect for the environment and with a minimum of chemical inputs. Concentrated and rich top-of-the-range wines, which are a beautiful expression of this dense and fiery terroir. A particular favourite is the Amourette, an all too rare and delicious grey Grenache.

Situated in the heart of the Aspres, the estate covers 60 hectares of rolled pebbles and stony soils producing wines of character. Already prized in the 11th century at the court of the King of Aragon under the name of "laurinya", it now belongs to Domaines Paul MAS. The reasoned work of the vine, a cellar adapted to the modern techniques of wine making make the wines of Château Lauriga a pledge of quality. The interaction between the tramontane, the grape varieties and the terroir produces wines with subtle aromas.

The production of the Terrassous vineyards, with more than 90% of the Aspres vineyards classified as PDO, is about 30,000 hl each year. The wines of Terrassous are distinguished by the richness of their aromas and the finesse of their tannins. Whether they are fruity wines or wines made in barrels, they are always a pleasure to drink. The know-how of this cooperative is undeniable and its wines are highly prized by restaurateurs. Discover also the mythical Rivesaltes aged up to 40 years in oak barrels. Enjoy a visit and tasting all year round.

In 2003, the passionate winegrower Olivier Castells took over the 25 hectares of vines of the family estate, which were vinified in a cooperative cellar, with the objective of making his own wines. He extends the exploitation to 30 hectares by leading his vineyard under the High Environmental Value certification, where he reconciles white and red wines. He brings together Maccabeu, Grenache blanc and gris, Muscats d'Alexandrie and à Petits grains as well as Sauvignon in the plain and gives birth to the reds by the alliance of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan.

The Mas Baux is a 20 ha estate with 12 ha of vines planted among the garrigue. The 17th century building stands out from afar like a ship sailing on an ocean of vines. "The selection begins on the vine and continues until the bottling", insists Marie Pierre. Organic farming, hand-picking and harvesting in crates, a goldsmith's work, accepting slowness in order to obtain deep and expressive wines that are highly noticed by the specialised press. You will taste all these beautiful bottles in the cellar where contemporary equipment and century-old walls blend together.

There are two lovely shops that praise wine: grand cru and small estates from here and elsewhere, as well as a fine range of natural sweet wines. Local winemakers come to talk about their wines on Thursday evenings, with tastings accompanied by tapas. Depending on what's going on, the tastings are based on a particular theme: new wines, rums, champagnes, whiskies... La Part des Anges is also a whisky expert with a hundred references and clearly displays its passion for sweet wines and rancios.

Jean-Pierre Rudelle is an epicurean of wine, you are sure to find here a particularly careful selection of the best Domains of Roussillon and France. But also tasting courses in a very trendy setting. Le Comptoir follows the latest wine news with a calendar of seasonal events. From Thursday to Saturday evenings, the Comptoir des Crus offers tastings of wines from guest producers and advice from professional oenophiles. A valuable address for terroir lovers.

At last, a wine shop that has fallen in love with natural wines and is putting them on the map! Olivier offers the finest organic, biodynamic and naturally vinified wines, as well as an attractive range of local produce. He's a colorful character, as free with his words as he is with the wines he offers. In addition to his expert advice, Olivier offers a range of wines to suit all budgets and tastes, and always finds the right bottle for you! A character as engaging as the wines he advises. A must to discover.

"When you only have love..." and the Clos des Vins d'Amour, life is beautiful! The philosophy of the Dornier family is simple and obvious: little intervention in the vineyard or in the cellar, listening to nature and the living. Our favorites are Idylle in white and 1+1=3 in red. These are really surprising wines, freshness and finesse for the first one, fruity and crisp for the second one. You will find these bottles on the best tables in the region. Not all organic wines are alike, those of Clos des Vins d'Amour are exceptional! A favorite of the Futé !

In the heart of the Roussillon plain, this former gulf filled by the alluvium of three rivers, the Cabestany terroir is composed of a mixture of rich, fatty or silty soils, interspersed with rocky areas. Among the terraces staggered according to the three rivers are the Cabestany terraces, formed by rolled pebbles and alluvium. Inaugurated in 2005, the Cabestany sales cellar, adjacent to the Cave Coopérative, is located in the heart of the village. Its central counter in the shape of a barrel is original and its immense bay windows bring in the sun and the warmth of the smiles of passers-by. You will be seduced by the architecture of the place as much as by the wines you can taste with Audrey. We particularly liked the Master of Cabestany and the Two Lions, two Côtes du Roussillon Villages in red that have structure and hold or simply the Will of a Hom, a very surprising organic rosé in IGP. The Cabestany vault also hosts very beautiful exhibitions (the place is so vast and warm that it lends itself perfectly to it) and has a large car park. Don't forget before or after the tasting to stop by (5 min by foot) at the Romanesque Sculpture Centre in Cabestany, a place to discover.

Mas de Lavail is a vineyard located in Maury. The estate offers a wide range of wines, from "pleasure" wines such as Carignan Blanc and Carignan Noir, to expressive wines such as La Désirade and Le Sud. The vineyard also offers natural sweet wines, such as Maury Expression and Muscat de Rivesaltes.

On the 15 ha vineyard that stretches from Tautavel to St-Paul de Fenouillet, there is a wide variety of soils: schist, schistose marl and clay-limestone. In the 3 colours, Dimitri and Muriel create wines with a concentrated and greedy character. By exploiting old vines situated at altitude, their objective is simple: to improve the gustative quality every year and thus, in essence, to position themselves as one of the sure values in the region. The bet has been won because their wines are regularly praised by the specialist press.

"Wine is a creation of nature, the winemaker accompanies the process. Hand harvesting on 20 ha

The Château de Péna vineyard is located on the first foothills of the Corbières, at the entrance to a bottleneck of the Agly against which the Roussillon plain meets. The marl and black schist soils are a preferred soil for the production of AOC Côtes du Roussillon Villages, AOC Vins Doux Naturels and Vins de Vépages. The cooperative cellar was founded in 1942 and now has about thirty winegrowers spread over 450 hectares. The range of Minettes en IGP are very gourmet wines, the ideal buddy wine for grilling. Particular mention for the ideal white cuvée on seafood and shellfish. A star in the Hachette 2019 Guide! In AOC, the Black Stones aged in barrels are a delight. Two stars in the Hachette Guide! To taste absolutely the Rivesaltes Ambré and Tuilé and the last little Pas d'Apuses. Not to mention some beautiful walks in perspective towards the Notre Dame hermitage and the Tour del Far.

The result of the merger of several wineries in the Agly valley (Estagel, Montner, Saint Paul de Fenouillet, Caudiès de Fenouillèdes and Lesquerde), the Côtes d'Agly winegrowers' cooperative is now one of the leading producers of AOP Côtes du Roussillon with more than 250 winegrowers, 1,150 hectares of vines and 10 appellations. The emphasis is on quality but also on the environment: some vintages are organic. In the Agly valley, there is an infinite number of very specific terroirs which give equally contrasting wines.

Domaine du Mas Rous is a 32-hectare vineyard. Since 1872, the Pujol family has put all its know-how and passion into creating exceptional wines. The estate offers no less than ten different wines, all recognized for their quality and awarded in numerous competitions. You can find these wines for sale in the domaine's boutique, with delivery available in mainland France. Mas Rous also offers two spacious gîtes with terraces overlooking the Montesquieu-des-Albères area. These gîtes are equipped with everything you need for a pleasant stay with family or friends.

Hervé Bizeul, a Perpignanese who returned to Roussillon after many journeys, firmly believes that this Catalan terroir is magical and that it can give birth to great wines. Started from nothing but with many dreams... His wines are now considered to be among the top 100 French wines. Hervé has chosen poetic names that today resonate in the ears of the best restaurateurs: La Petite Sibérie, Images Dérisoires or De Battre mon Coeur s'est Arrêté. Wines known all over the world and such a simple and fascinating character!

Domaine Depeyre is a vineyard located in Cases-de-Pène. The products are presented with detailed descriptions of their technical characteristics. Prices are shown in euros, inclusive of all taxes, and include the applicable VAT. Delivery charges are invoiced in addition, except for orders over 250 euros TTC, for which delivery charges are free in metropolitan France. Payment methods accepted are cheque, Paypal and credit card. Delivery times are given as an indication, and Domaine Depeyre offers parcel tracking for orders. If you have a problem with a product, you can return it within thirty days of delivery for an exchange or refund. Domaine Depeyre is committed to preserving the confidentiality of personal information provided by buyers.

The Domaine des Schistes is a family property which cultivates 50 hectares of vines between Estagel and Tautavel in the heart of the Agly valley. This diversity of soils, exposures and altitude allows us to produce wines with a strong personality. Following in the footsteps of his parents Jacques and Nadine, Mickaël has promoted organic farming and agro-forestry in particular. Beautiful range in the 3 colours with the Essencia cuvées but also VDN aged in Solera method and an excellent dry Rancio which is according to Nadine and Jacques the root and the future of the viticulture.

Domaine Força Réal has been a family affair for 30 years. The organically grown vines stretch over a wide range of terroirs (schist, limestone and clay). We feel that diversity is the key word for this family of winegrowers. A particular favourite at the tasting was "Les Hauts de Força Réal", in white and red, an ambitious and delicate wine. Finally, 10 hectares are dedicated to the other king fruit of the Mediterranean. The native olive and picholine varieties, hand-picked and ripe, give a high quality, slightly fiery oil.

Domaine Danjou-Banessy, located in Espira-de-l'Agly, is an organic farm offering a range of high-quality dry wines. The owners, Benoît and Sébastien Danjou, took over the estate in 2001 and have maintained a philosophy of respect for plants and expressions of terroir. The estate comprises 18 hectares of vines, mainly on schist, calcoschist, clay-limestone and quartz veins. The wines produced are refined, delicate and energetic, with good tension and vivacity. In addition to dry wines, the domaine also offers top-quality rancios and old Rivesaltes.

Domaine Carle Courty is a winery located in Millas, Pyrénées-Orientales. Since 2002, they have been producing wines from organically grown grapes, and since 2012, they have been ECOCERT-certified. The estate covers 15 hectares and offers a variety of grape varieties such as Muscat petits grains, Syrah, Carignan, Grenache noir, Roussane and many others. The domaine has a boutique where you can taste and buy their wines. Their postal address is 6 route de Corneilla, 66170 Millas. The domaine also takes part in wine fairs and events in cities such as Strasbourg, Cruseilles, Neuville sur Saône, and others.

Domaine Boucabeille is a vineyard located in Corneilla-la-Rivière. It offers organically grown wines.

They offer an online boutique where you can discover all their wine ranges, from "Vin de copains" to "Cuvées Signature". All their wines are vinified with care and come from vines cultivated with love. Domaine Boudau also offers a drive-through and contactless delivery service. For moments of conviviality, Plaisir wines like Tradition are recommended. And if you're looking for wines without the fuss, vins de Copains like Petit Closi Rouge are perfect. Finally, for a perfect balance between sweetness and freshness, Doux Naturels wines like Sur Grains are worth discovering.

Domaine Comelade Comelade is well-liked, with 551 likes and 582 followers on Facebook. It is also well rated, with a score of 5.0 out of 5 based on 5 reviews.

Domaine de Nidolères is a charming gîte, bed and breakfast and inn located in Tresserre, in the Pyrénées-Orientales region. The establishment offers comfortable rooms with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Pets are welcome and the inn is child-friendly. Guests can also take advantage of the on-site swimming pool. The estate is surrounded by vineyards and offers local wines such as Rivesaltes, Muscat de Rivesaltes and Côtes du Roussillon. Part of the estate's outbuildings have been converted into gîtes and chambres d'hôtes. Traditional Catalan cuisine is combined with the estate's wines. The auberge offers menus and a wine list, with specialties such as foie gras with figs marinated in Muscat de Rivesaltes and duck fillet with Céret cherries. Reservations are required to enjoy these delicious dishes.

Domaine de Vénus offers organic wines, produced with respect for nature and the vines. The grapes are carefully harvested by hand, to guarantee the best possible quality. Nathalie Abet, assisted by consultant oenologist Agnès Pipernot, vinifies the wines with finesse, blending the different grape varieties and aging them to get the best out of them. The current vintages are already a few years old, so you can enjoy their potential straight away, but they can also be kept for later tasting. The domaine has an online store where you can order wines.

They offer a wide selection of wines, as well as a delivery service. The owners, Léo Hemmer Bury and Louise Tanguy, are passionate about their terroir and produce balanced, lively wines.

16 hectares of vines on steep, schistose slopes facing the sea that Élise pampers by following the wise advice of her father. A perfectionist, she has sought freshness and elegance in her red and white vintages. A warm reception awaits you in the cellar and not in the cellar. Thus, the visitor can contemplate the daily work of Élise and her team. It is absolutely necessary to meet this young woman and taste her nectars that the specialized press praises every year and that the great restaurants are tearing up. Real poems in the mouth.

The terroir, composed of black schist, is located along the Agly valley, at the foot of the Far tower. The vines surround a beautiful house from the last century. The black earth (cremat means "burnt") of the hillsides produces very colorful wines, dark ruby, licorice and morello cherry. Beautiful aromatic complexity and fine tannins. Among the range of 12 wines, we had a crush on the Bastien vintage in red and the Sentinelles in white. As a colleague said, the Mas Cremat estate produces "racy wines" and we would add "in an enchanting setting".

As much as his wines, which are among the best in the Roussillon, it is Mathieu's personality and philosophy that left us stunned. This young winemaker with a pleasant and smiling face is a poet of the vine. To listen to him speak is to drink his wines! Very humbly, he explains his philosophy: "The winegrower must give way to the terroir. I make wines that resemble the place where they were born. The soul of this country must be concentrated at the bottom of a glass...". Exquisite juices in the 3 colours and in VDN. We love them!

The particularity of the estate comes from the different terroirs: to the south, in the Aspres, 50 hectares on clay-limestone soils, greedy wines with character, and to the north, in the Agly valley (Maury), about ten hectares spread over schist, granite and gneiss, here it is the minerality that speaks, the finesse of the tannins and the complexity of the aromas. And in the end, we get warm, very aromatic and balanced wines. We like this balance in their wines but also the love of the land, the transmission of knowledge, generation after generation.

Patrick says, "Let the soil breathe, protect the biotope and keep yields low" as we walk through his vineyards. The estate extends over 30 hectares around imposing, finely renovated buildings - it feels like a hamlet. Patrick's wines are often praised by the specialist press and, to top it all off, Château Montana is one of the few houses in Roussillon whose wines are awarded medals every year! Château Montana is an essential stop on the wine route.

In the heart of the low Aspres, "the little Tuscany of Roussillon", Château Planères appears like a balcony overlooking the Albères, the sea and the Canigó. The vineyard extends over 100 hectares, around a Catalan farmhouse on the Planères plateau. The owners claim their Catalan peasant character and welcome you in the superb tasting cellar of the estate to intoxicate you with their wines, which are regularly rewarded by the specialized press. Eclectic price range: there is something for all tastes and budgets. A beautiful return to the roots!

Between Millas and Bélesta, perched at an altitude of 354 m, Château de Caladroy is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and garrigue. Since the ^12th century, it has defended the Franco-Spanish border, and from destruction to reconstruction, its past is steeped in war and history. A winegrower's property since the ^19th century, it retains a spectacular architecture that harmoniously blends the different eras. The tasting cellar is housed beneath the château's foundations, in a chapel built in the ^12th century.