Fes Meknes

Fes-Meknes is an administrative region, but its winegrowing is centred on Meknes. The vineyards sit near Roman Volubilis, between the Atlas foothills and Mount Zerhoun, at about 580 to 700 metres. Sandy and clay-limestone soils meet hot summers, cool winters, moderate rainfall and strong sunshine. Meknes makes red, rosé, pale rosé known as gris, and white wines under Les Coteaux de l’Atlas, Morocco’s controlled designation for still wine. Produced within the Beni-M’Tir guaranteed designation area, it sets rules for grapes, yields and ripeness. The specified red, rosé and gris blends must contain at least two-thirds Merlot; the relevant white blend needs at least half Sauvignon blanc. Volubilia is associated with rosé, gris and red wines, while Guerrouane and Beni M’Tir are named designations linked to Meknes. Crémant de l’Atlas covers sparkling wines whose second fermentation takes place in the bottle.