COLOUR
Orange
TYPE
Fortified
VINTAGE
NV
GRAPE
Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Grenache, Macabeo, Muscat
PRODUCER
Multiple Producers
REGION
Languedoc-Roussillon
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Full
Sweetness
Sweet
Acidity
Medium
Finish
Long
Intensity
Pronounced
Tannins
Low
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Rivesaltes Ambré is a historic and often underrated sweet, fortified wine (Vin Doux Naturel) from the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. These wines are typically made from Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, among other local varieties, and are celebrated for their amber hue and complex character developed through extensive oxidative aging. Rivesaltes Ambré wines are often considered hidden treasures, representing a rich heritage of winemaking that is currently experiencing a well-deserved revival.
ALCOHOL
16.5%
AVG. PRICE
€20
STYLE
Classic
SULPHITES
YES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
10-12°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Rivesaltes Ambré is a historic, often 'unfashionable' style of wine now seeing a well-deserved revival.
Fact 02
Many Rivesaltes Ambré wines are discovered in old barrels, representing liquid treasures from the past.
Fact 03
These wines are considered 'dessert island wines' by some, offering extraordinary value for their complexity.
Fact 04
The unique 'mutage' process, adding grape brandy, stops fermentation to preserve natural grape sweetness.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
The production of wines in the Rivesaltes Ambré style involves meticulous viticulture and vinification. Grapes, primarily Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, are hand-harvested when overripe to ensure optimal sweetness. The fermentation process is then carefully halted by the addition of grape brandy, a technique known as 'mutage'. This crucial step preserves the natural sugars of the grapes, resulting in a naturally sweet wine with an elevated alcohol content. Following fortification, the wine undergoes a prolonged aging period, often for many years, in large oak barrels. This oxidative aging environment is instrumental in developing the wine's distinctive amber color and its profound, complex aromatic profile.
