Banyuls is a small but historic wine appellation in the Roussillon region of southern France, nestled along the Mediterranean coast near the Spanish border. Known for its Vin Doux Naturel—a fortified sweet wine—Banyuls is made primarily from Grenache Noir, with smaller amounts of Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, and sometimes Carignan or Mourvèdre. The region’s steep, terraced vineyards on schist soils and its warm, sunny climate help produce intensely ripe grapes ideal for the mutage process, where grape spirit is added to stop fermentation and preserve natural sugars. Banyuls wines are aged in a variety of ways—sometimes oxidatively in open glass containers or sun-exposed barrels—developing flavors of dried fruit, fig, cocoa, nuts, and spice. These rich, complex wines are often compared to Port and pair beautifully with chocolate, blue cheese, or roasted nuts, offering a uniquely Mediterranean take on fortified wine tradition.