Banyuls is made in the southernmost part of southern France, very close to the border with Spain. The wines are mostly made from the Grenache grape, where grape spirit is added to the must, just as you know it from port wine. Here, the alcohol percentage is somewhat lower, namely 16 percent, as opposed to port’s 20 percent. It gives a more elegant mulled wine with greater freshness, which is therefore an excellent alternative if you find port a little too “heavy” in it.
Made in specially selected years, as you know it from Vintage Port.
About La Cave de l’Abbé Rous
Cave l’Abbé Rous, named after a local abbot back in the 16th century, is the area’s largest and best producer of Banyuls wines. The cooperative was founded in 1952 and today consists of 750 winegrowers, who all contribute grapes to the extensive production of both sweet and dry wines from the combined 1,200 ha of vineyards at their disposal.
Sweet wines from Banyul’s steep slate terraces with old vines.
Fields with old vines are grown on small, steep and coastal slate terraces that were laid out way back in the heyday of the Knights Templar (12th century). As the region is located in the south-eastern corner of France, close to the Spanish border, it is blessed with over 300 days of sunshine per year. But strong winds also blow here, and the winters are cold with a lot of snow. All of this is reflected in the vines, which develop deep roots into the rocky subsoil to absorb nutrients.
The grapes are primarily Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris and Carignan. They can only be harvested by hand, and mules often have to be used to transport the grapes down the steep slopes and on to l’Abbé Rous’ large cellar facilities in Banyuls-sur-Mer.
