Wines of Roussillon gets ready for London Wine Fair

The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR) will be showcasing the Southern French region’s unique character and terroir-driven wines at this year’s London Wine Fair.

Roussillon’s mixture of terroirs, due to its position between mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, and array of local grape varieties make it a viticultural smorgasbord across its 14 AOP and two IGP certifications.

In total, eight Roussillon producers will be exhibiting at the fair, taking place from 15-17 May: Château de l’Ou, Château Nadal Hainaut, Clos d’Elpis, Domaine de Rombeau, Domaine F Jaubert, Dom Brial, Mas de la Devèze, and Mas Llossanes. A selection of their wines will be available to taste at Stand B40.

But, while the reds from the region’s sunbathed vineyards are rightly renowned for their structure and bold flavour profiles, the white wines are equally deserving of attention, and show Roussillon winemakers’ capacity for fresh thinking.

At 2.30pm on Tuesday 16 May, Eric Aracil, CIVR’s co-director in charge of exports, will be presenting a masterclass on the region’s white wines, showcasing the following wines from each of the eight producers exhibiting at Kensington Olympia:

• IGP Côtes Catalanes, Mas Llossanes, Pur Chasan, 2021, White (organic)
• IGP Côtes Catalanes, Château Nadal Hainaut, Alexandrie, 2022, White
• IGP Côtes Catalanes, Domaine de Rombeau, Figure 1 Le Botaniste, 2022, White (organic)
• AOP Côtes du Roussillon, Mas de la Devèze, Malice, 2022, White
• IGP Côtes Catalanes, Clos d’Elpis, Elpis, 2021, White
• IGP Côtes Catalanes, Château de l’Ou, L’Orange de l’Ou, 2020, White (organic)
• AOP Rivesaltes Ambré, Domaine F Jaubert, Or du Temps 2002, Amber
• AOP Rivesaltes Ambré, Dom Brial, Grande Réserve, 1969, Amber

From mineral-forward, dry expressions, to a luscious, fortified Vin Doux Naturel, Aracil will share why Roussillon’s whites should be on your radar.

To discover more about Wines of Roussillon, click here.