On the sunny slopes of the Vermillion Coast, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, lies the renowned vineyard of Banyuls, whose AOC wines – Banyuls, Banyuls Grand Cru and Collioure – are produced in four communes, which are Banyuls-sur-Mer, Cerbère, Collioure and Port-Vendres. Grown on terraces on the hills of the Albères overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the vines of Banyuls, chiefly made from Black, Grey and White Grenache, Macabeo, Malvoisie and Muscat grapes, make famous naturally sweet wines which can be drunk as an aperitif or as a dessert wine, or can accompany foie gras, duck with cherries or blue cheeses.
Every October, Banyuls-sur-Mer hosts a weekend-long wine harvest festival, celebrating the wines of the Vermillion Coast.
