Rivesaltes (/ˈriːvˈsɔːlt/; French pronunciation: [ʁivzalt] ⓘ) is an appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) for naturally sweet, fortified wines (vin doux naturel or VDN).

[1] The main grapes used for white Rivesaltes wines are Grenache blanc, Grenache gris, Macabeu, and Malvoisie du Roussillon; Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat of Alexandria are accessory varietals, which have to be less than 20 percent of the final product.

[2] Styles can be labeled ambré (amber), grenat (garnet), tuilé (tiled), or rosé, provided they meet certain conditions.

[6] Due to the winemaking process, Rivesaltes is relatively shelf-stable when open, and can remain at room-temperature for several days without losing quality.

Rivesaltes AOC is crossed by three rivers that traverse the area from west to east, draining into the Mediterranean.

[9][2] It is affected every third day by the Tramontane breeze from the northwest, which dries the region's grapevines,[10] and the rest of the time by sea winds.

The wines are then matured, sometimes in oak barrels, or typically outside in glass bottles (called demijohns or bonbonnes) for a year.

[4] While the similar Banyuls and Maury are typically high-quality, Rivesaltes is made in a wide variety of styles, depending on terroir and winemaker skills and preference.

Weather in 2020 included catastrophic springtime rain, mildew in the summer, and an absence of the Tramontane breeze, followed by drought-like conditions.