Rivesaltes is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée

Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée

Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...

 for naturally sweet, fortified wine

Fortified wine

Fortified wine is wine to which a distilled beverage has been added. Fortified wine is distinguished from spirits made from wine in that spirits are produced by means of distillation, while fortified wine is simply wine that has had a spirit added to it...

s (vin doux naturel) made in the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region of France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

. They are similar to Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC

Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC

Muscat de Rivesaltes is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée for fortified wines made in the Roussillon wine region of France. They are similar to Rivesaltes AOC wines, except for the grape varieties used...

 wines, except the grape varieties are not restricted to Muscat. The wines are red or white, and made from Muscat, Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc

Grenache Blanc

Grenache blanc is a variety of white wine grape that is related to the red grape Grenache. It is mostly found in Rhône wine blends and in northeast Spain. Its wines are characterized by high alcohol and low acidity, with citrus and or herbaceous notes. Its vigor can lead to overproduction and...

, Grenache Gris, Macabeu and (rarely) Malvoisie grapes.