Born from winegrower solidarity, the VICA group coordinates and distributes the wine production of the main cellars of Roussillon, offering the region itself one of the most demonstrative showcases of the rich diversity of its wines.
A solar vineyard
Nestled against the last foothills of the Pyrenees, facing the Mediterranean, Roussillon is wine country par excellence. With its nuanced terroirs and varied topography that create a multitude of microclimates, this Catalan region offers a surprisingly rich array of wines. Expressing their complexity and showcasing them is VICA 's primary mission . Founded in 1964 by a handful of independent winemakers, the organization, now a SICA (a type of agricultural cooperative), remains true to its initial goal: to promote and gain recognition for Roussillon wines . For the land is complex, and its production reveals many facets. A quintessential sun-drenched vineyard, Catalonia is primarily known for its fortified wines: Banyuls , Maury , Rivesaltes , and Muscat de Rivesaltes . The region also distinguishes itself with its dry wines, particularly reds, but also remarkable whites and rosés, which VICA actively promotes.
A land and grape varieties
Thanks to its cultural and geographical coherence, the Catalan vineyard distinguishes itself from the rest of Occitanie's vineyards with its distinctive grape varieties: Grenache Gris, red, and white, the "king" grapes of Roussillon . But also Carignan, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat of Alexandria. The density, richness, and diversity of the terroirs shape the sun-drenched character of Roussillon wines . Salinity and minerality are necessarily present, always nuanced by the variety of geological formations, the contours of the land, and the subtle influence of the sea. While at first glance the wines produced under the IGP Côtes Catalanes or AOP Côtes du Roussillon designations seem to dominate , a more subtle expression of the unique terroirs emerges with the range of AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages wines . Of their specific characteristics, VICA is the leading ambassador, associated with the most dynamic cooperatives in the region such as Vignobles Terrassous . The cultural convergence that governs these groups also guarantees a fully demonstrative expression of the richness and authenticity of the terroir.
Terroirs and cuvées
The showcase of VICA brings together all the variety of terroir wines resulting from the winegrower's cooperation. The emblematic cuvées of each denomination listed in Côtes du Roussillon Villages stand out in the foreground. Profound in their visuals and plural in their expressive amplitudes, the Great Terroir Wines come from Tautavel, The Tour de France, The Aspres, Lesquerde or, caramany. Also invoking the excellence of the vineyards is the wine family Icons. Red, white or rosé, they bring together cuvées whose names evoke the exception: äctä, Kaalys, Kar magna, Elevation, etc. From Occitanie's vineyards those of Roussillon are also the most conducive to supporting the growth of organic viticulture. At the house of VICA, the collective dynamic has favored the emergence of organic wines without added sulphites. They converge from all the terroirs, bearing the name ofAgly organic, Gaia, etc. As for the vineyards of great tradition, they are revealed in each color in the singular range of Domains and Castles. The inventory would be incomplete without noting the presence of Treasures of Roussillon what form Natural Sweet Wines. One of the major scales is that of Haute Coutume amber Rivesaltes, vintages of 10 years in 10 years, starting with the year 1966. Without forgetting the offer bringing together the Banyuls Grand Cru, the Maury, and the Muscat. In Roussillon, if there is a demonstrative showcase of the richness and density of the wine terroir, that of VICA imposes itself in the foreground.