The Roussillon: France's Wild Wine Country

2017 | Food & Drink

Roussillon is always seen as part of the Languedoc region (now itself merged into the new super-region of Occitanie) but for some time the distinctive wines of Roussillon have merited their own treatment. Known for the diversity of its wines and terroirs, a region where sea and mountains come together in an amphitheatre that nestles in the south of France between Spain, the Mediterranean Sea, the Pyrenees and mountains of the Corbieres, Roussillon's unique geology and microclimates allow each of the grape varieties to reach its fullest expression. Roussillon, the sunniest (and driest) region of France, is one of France's largest producer of wine, offering a diverse range of wines including dry still wines and fortified sweet wines. Richard Mark James' Roussillon: France's wild wine country is the first book length study of the wines and winemakers of this stunning region. James takes in Roussillon's history and current status as the engine room of Vin Doux Naturel production in France before considering its climate and terrain, grape varieties, appellations and wine styles and recent trends in wine-growing and wine-making.

An important feature of Roussillon: France's wild wine country is the profiles of the main producers in the region. Around 130 to 150 wine estates, wineries and co-op cellars are included, covering a heady mix of the author's personal favourites, natural, traditional, cult or best, most expensive or great-value, established or new-kid-on-the-block and just approachable names. What they all have in common is that they have caught James' attention for a variety of reasons over the past ten years or so, half of that time actually spent living in and exploring the Roussillon region. Whether readers want to seek out and enjoy again a once-mystery bottle bought locally and, with new insight, get a colourful taste of the people, terrain and story behind it, or to explore this stunning wild wine region for themselves, helped along by some background information and opinion on where to find these winemakers, Richard Mark James' Roussillon: France's wild wine country is the ideal companion.

Richard James (Author)