Collioure is a very small appellation in the Roussillon region (also known as French Catalonia) in southeastern France, near the border with Spain on the Mediterranean coast, about 30 kilometers southwest of Perpignan. It produces PowerfulDry red and white wines from France's southernmost Vineyard. The appellation comprises four communes, including the one from which it takes its name, plus Cerbère, Port-Vendres and Banyuls. Collioure wines are the dry table wines of the region, while those bearing the name Banyuls are the Sweet wines produced in exactly the same vineyards.
The proportion of grapes that become Collioure or Banyuls wine in a given year depends on the particular characteristics of the Vintage. Until recently, AOC Collioure wines were exclusively red or rosé wines. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre make up 60% of Collioure blends, with Carignan and Cinsaut making up the remaining 40% in varying proportions. Mourvèdre is not included in the blend of Banyuls wines, so all the Mourvèdre grapes grown here are destined for Collioure wines.
The vermentino grape variety was widespread in Italy, Sardinia and Corsica. Today, Vermentino is grown in the regions bordering the Mediterranean, mainly in Provence (Côtes de Provence, Bellet), Corsica (Corse Calvi), Languedoc (Côtes du Roussillon, Costières de Nîmes) and the Rhône Valley (Côtes du Luberon). Because it ripens late, Vermentino requires a warm climate for its development and can only be grown in regions with good sun exposure. Conversely, cold or temperate climates do not allow it to ripen properly. Vermentino is only susceptible to powdery mildew. When vinified on its own, Vermentino produces a single-variety dry white wine that is light and full-bodied with a pale yellow color. It can also be blended with other grape varieties such as Ugni Blanc, Cinsault and Grenache, in which case its low acidity makes it light and fresh. Vermentino belongs to the grape varieties of Ajaccio, Corsica and Corbières. The aromas released by this variety are multiple. One can detect notes of fresh apple, green almond, sweet spices, hawthorn, ripe pear and fresh pineapple.
wines from the region of Collioure go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, pasta or lamb such as recipes of pork shoulder with mustard, salmon cannelloni or lamb shoulder confit.
On the nose in the region of Collioure often reveals types of flavors of spices, earth or oak and sometimes also flavors of red fruit, black fruit or apples. In the mouth in the region of Collioure is a powerful with a nice freshness.
