On the sloping vineyards of the Côte Vermeille, the grapes develop so much sugar that they are perfect for the production of 'vins doux naturels'. In the first century, Pliny the Elder wrote about the wonderful wines of Roussillon. In 1285, the doctor and scholar Arnaud de Villeneuve discovered the "mutage" method, which consists of stopping the wine fermentation by adding brandy: the 'vin doux naturel' was born. It was introduced in Versailles by Louis XIV and Voltaire was particularly fond of Muscat de Rivesaltes.
It was in 1936 that the 'vin doux naturel' obtained its AOC, which today defines its cultivation, grape varieties, degree of maturity, yields, vinification and ageing types.