Definition: Maury AOC

Roussillon region. Production area located about thirty kilometres north-west of Perpignan, on the northern border with the department of Aude, more precisely within the municipalities of Maury, Rasiguières, Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet and Tautavel, in the department of Pyrénées-Orientales. Classified as: AOC natural sweet wine in 1972. Area under production: just over 2,000 hectares. White grape varieties: Grenache, Macabeu (maximum 10% for the production of red wines), Muscat à Petits Grains, Muscat d'Alexandrie (or Muscat Romain) and Tourbat (or Malvoisie). The proportion of Muscat grapes must not exceed 20%; grey: Grenache; black: Grenache (minimum 75%); accessory grape varieties for a maximum of 10%, Carignan, Cinsaut and Syrah. Vinified as: white and red; rancio for older wines that have acquired this very distinctive taste. A special feature of Maury is that only wine alcohol is used in the mutation of the musts. The addition of caramel is not permitted. Blending white wines with red wines is not permitted after the certificate has been issued by the INAO. The name of the grape variety may not appear in the same visual field as the name of the appellation. It can be kept: drink with a minimum of 2 years' age; 15 to 20 years for rancio. Ideal serving temperature: between 14 and 15°C; slightly higher for rancio. Pairing: ideal as an aperitif and can also accompany poultry or even desserts such as strawberry and almond tart.