Vignobles Terrassous

About Vignobles Terrassous

Vignobles Terrassous is based in the Aspres hills in the south of the Eastern Pyrenees Mountains. The vines extend to the foothills of Mount Canigou, a snow-covered mountain most of the year. The surrounding hills are adorned with vineyards, olive groves and scrubland. In the distance, the reflections of the Mediterranean Sea sparkle in the sun.

Made up of plateaus and hills between 150 – 300 meters above sea level, the Terrassous terroir has cool nights and frequent wind. The area has a dry Mediterranean climate (Aspres meaning arid, poor in Catalan) with more than 300 days of sunshine and 100 days of wind per year. Rocky, red clay, limestone and schist are the diverse soils which make up Aspres.

Terrassous is a co-operative based in (and named after) the town of Terrats, within Aspres, established in 1932 and currently comprised of 70 grower members. Since 1932, Aspres winegrowers have worked together to preserve the vines. Each plot benefits from the attention of a winegrower within their family farm.

Of the different styles of wine made by the Terrassous co-operative, Regal carries their Rivesaltes “vin doux naturel,” the French phrase for fortified sweet wines. Vin doux Naturel wines are fortified with a neutral grape spirits to stop fermentation before all sugars have been converted to alcohol. This allows the wine to retain naturally occurring sugar. The regions have minimum sugar requirements which the wines must achieve, and all Vin Doux Naturel must contain at least 15% alcohol by volume.

Rivesaltes is France’s largest sweet wine producing area and can be made with Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris. They are distinguishable by color: Rosé, Grenat, Ambré and Tuilé.

Rivesaltes Rosé can be made with Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu and Tourbat. They are fresh and fruity..

Rivesaltes Grenat are made with 100% Grenache Noir and are aged for a minimum of seven months.

Rivesaltes Ambré (Amber) are primarily made with Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu and Tourbat. This type of Vin doux Naturel requires a minimum of two and a half years of oxidative aging. The result is a deep-golden yellow color which ages toward orange, then amber and eventually reddish-brown.

Rivesaltes Tuilé are made from 50% Grenache Noir and are aged for two and a half years. They are similar to Banyuls Rouge in their red-berry aromas which can develop into coffee and chocolate over time.