AOC vin doux naturel Rasteau
Rasteau’s sweet, fortified wines (Vins Doux Naturels) are quite extraordinary, made from 50-80-year-old Grenache noir vines grown in stony soils in south-facing vineyards.
The vines conserve their strength by producing no more than one bottle of wine per plant.
Grapes are harvested by hand and alcohol is added to the fermenting musts to stop fermentation and give two styles of Vin Doux Naturel.
Rasteau Doré is made in the same way as a rosé, by the saignée method, and shows a mellow amber colour with aromas of dried fruit and nuts, apricot and honey. It will keep well for up to eight years.
For Rasteau red VDN, the grapes are crushed and macerated in tanks. The resulting wine develops aromas of cooked prunes and warm spices, mellowing over time into a “rancio” oxidative style of wine. It can be aged for up to ten years, and will develop nutty, fruity aromas alongside scents of roasted coffee.
Such rare, rich wines, so skilfully crafted, deserve to be better known.
Informations
Climate: Mediterrannean influenced by the Mistral wind
Soils: Limestone / Clay
Website appellation : https://www.vins-rasteau.com/fr/
Key figures
Production surface area in 2023: 16 HA
Total production in 2023: 494 HL
Average annual yeld: 30 HL/HA
Export: 1%
Recognition in AOC by the I.N.A.O.: 1944
Communes: Rasteau (mainly), Cairanne and Sablet
Grape varieties
Main grape varieties
- Grenache gris,
- Grenache blanc,
- Grenache noir
Secondary grape varieties
- Bourboulenc,
- Brun argenté (locally known as Camarèse or Vaccarèse),
- Carignan,
- Cinsault,
- Clairette,
- Clairette rose,
- Counoise,
- Marsanne,
- Mourvèdre,
- Muscardin,
- Piquepoul blanc,
- Piquepoul noir,
- Roussanne,
- Syrah,
- Terret noir,
- Ugni blanc,
- Viognier
To know
History
Rasteau winemakers first tried their hand at making a Vin Doux Naturel in 1934. Results were encouraging. At the time, the vineyards shared their space with olive groves and orchards. The hillsides of Rasteau faced south, promoting over-ripeness in the grapes which made traditional vinification difficult.
In 1944, Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel was officially awarded AOC status.
Climate
Mediterranean type climate; south-facing slopes with a little protection from the Mistral wind.
Soils
The soils are similar to those for the Rasteau Cru: calcareous brown soils, sparse soils over marl, and red soils on sandstone. The predominantly south facing hillsides and stony soils which release heat to the vines at night allow the grapes to reach an extreme point of ripeness.
Geography
The vineyards grow mainly in the commune of Rasteau, with only around 20 parcels in Cairanne and Sablet.
Varieties and flavours
Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel is available in red, white and rosé. The “hors age” (extended ageing) wines are marked “Rancio”. The blends give a
prominent place to Grenache: Grenache noir, Grenache gris and Grenache blanc must account for 90% of the blend at the minimum, including at least 75% of Grenache noir for “grenat” and “tuilé” wines. Production specifications are in line with current legislation applicable to other Vins Doux Naturels. Mutage is mandatory; the alcohol used must be neutral, grape-based and at least 96% proof, and the final proportion between 5% and 10%. The final wine must have at least 15% abv and a minimum of 45g/L residual sugar.
Associated appellations