The Château Penau Laplagne of Maury of Languedoc-Roussillon

Discovering the wine region of Maury

Maury is a town in the northern Roussillon region of southern France. Its name is best known as an appellation for the natural Sweet wines produced around the town, although in 2011 the separate AOC Maury Sec came into effect for Dry red wines, due to the recognition that a local wine industry based entirely on fortified wine was too narrowly focused. The natural sweet wines of Maury are mainly produced from the Grenache grapes (Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris). They are produced in a style very similar to the sweet wines of Banyuls, 35 miles (57km) to the southeast, which also use Grenache.

The wines come in red, rosé and white, with the Color resulting from the rigorous winemaking techniques employed. In their youth, these wines are Tannic and intensely Fruity, but they become more flavourful and deeply coloured as they age. Maury Sec wines also focus on Grenache, although Mourvèdre, Syrah and Carignane are also allowed. Although still a small appellation - only 220 hectares were declared in 2014 - the wines have quickly gained a reputation for being among the best Full-bodied reds produced in France.