Grand Roussillon is a sweet, high-alcohol white wine made in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. It is a 'vin doux naturel' made by mutage, which leaves it with around 16% alcohol and high natural residual sugar.
Some Grand Roussillon wines are produced using a process of extended oxidative ageing, in the rancio style; all are subject to a minimum of two years' ageing before release.
The primary grape varieties used to make this relatively rare wine are Muscat Blanc, Muscat d'Alexandrie, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Maccabeu. Under the appellation laws, Carignan, Cinsaut and Syrah are also permitted, as is Listan, an obscure variety more commonly associated with the Canary Islands. The mention of grape varieties on the labels of Grand Roussillon wines is forbidden unless the wine is made exclusively from those named; in no circumstances may the name Muscat be stated. This last clause is intended to maintain the distinction between these rare wines and the more prevalent Muscat-based sweet wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
Grand Roussillon may be seen as a cousin of the better-known sweet wines of Rivesaltes and Banyuls.
