Banyuls : le vin de la "Côte Vermeille".
He Banyuls vineyard covers 1,700 hectares in the communes of Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls and Cerbère, villages along the "Côte Rocheuse", also known as the "Côte Vermeille". In this sloping landscape, vines are planted in terraces up to 800 metres above sea level. These shale terraces, supported by low walls, can only hold two or three rows of vines. The Templars invented the Banyuls vineyard's ingenious system to combat run-off, a major component of erosion. The vineyard is criss-crossed by furrows which were first made by rain then improved by man. This system is unique to the region, where it is known as "peus de gall" (cockerel feet in Catalan). Grenache noir represents at least 50 % of the vatful, conferring strength and alcohol. The other main varieties used are Grenache blanc, Grenache gris, Muscat à petits grains, Muscat d'Alexandrie, Macabeu and Tourbat, also known as Malvoisie du Roussillon. Carignan, Cinsault and Syrah are also used.