Producer's Notes

Spread out over steep, narrow terraces, the Banyuls appellation overhangs the Mediterranean Sea. More than two thousand years old, the vineyards are still hand-worked, and are rooted in stony schist soils. M. Chapoutier Banyuls is a "vin doux naturel," fortified wine that is exceptional and age-worthy. It is naturally sweet, shows full fruit and wonderful character and is universally perfect with fruit and/or chocolate desserts.

Grapes are hand picked when very ripe. They are destemmed and crushed. A long fermentation is halted with the addition of pure alcohol, retaining natural sugars and ensuring a good extraction of aroma, flavor, and tannin. Aged in oak casks and steel vats 16 to 23 months depending on vintages.