Rasteau AOC: Grenache-Based Red Wines and Vin Doux Naturel Fortifieds

Vines were likely growing in Rasteau as early as 30 BC, but the vineyards remained largely forgotten until the Middle Ages, when ecclesiastical communities revived interest in winegrowing. By the 18th century, Rasteau's vineyards were reportedly among the largest in Vaucluse. In 1870, phylloxera devastated the region; growers eventually replanted on American rootstocks. In 1934, winemakers first produced a Vin Doux Naturel and the results were encouraging enough that the Rasteau VDN AOC was formally created in 1944. The village joined the Côtes du Rhône AOC in 1937, and its dry red wines were promoted to Côtes du Rhône Villages status in 1966. In 2002, the winegrowers' syndicate petitioned INAO for independent cru status, which was finally granted in 2010.

• Vines were likely growing in Rasteau as early as 30 BC; ecclesiastical communities revived winemaking in the Middle Ages, and by the 18th century Rasteau had the largest vineyards in Vaucluse
• VDN production first attempted in 1934; AOC status for fortified wines granted in 1944 with effect from the 1943 vintage
• Dry red wines progressed from Côtes du Rhône (1937) to Côtes du Rhône Villages (1966) to full cru AOC (2010, effective 2009 vintage) after a petition by the winegrowers' syndicate in 2002

Rasteau is a village in the Vaucluse department of the southern Rhône, located roughly 24 kilometres northeast of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and just under 20 kilometres northeast of Orange. The village sits on south-facing slopes rising up from the Ouvèze river, a tributary of the Rhône. With 75% of vineyards on hillsides rising between roughly 150 and 300 metres above sea level, the clay-limestone terraces benefit from excellent sun exposure. South-facing slopes offer some natural protection from the Mistral wind. Soils vary considerably across the appellation, with clay-limestone dominating, sandy marls in the north, and alluvial terraces with rounded pebbles carried down by the Ouvèze river in the south. These cobblestones retain heat and offer protection from evapotranspiration.

• Located approximately 24 km northeast of Châteauneuf-du-Pape; vineyards spread across Rasteau, Cairanne, and Sablet in the Vaucluse
• South-facing slopes rising up to about 300 metres above sea level, with clay-limestone soils dominating; northern zones show sandy marls, southern zones have alluvial pebble terraces from the Ouvèze river
• Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers; the Mistral provides cooling and disease-suppressing airflow, while south-facing hillsides promote grape ripeness and concentration

Dry red Rasteau requires a minimum of 50% Grenache Noir, with Syrah and Mourvèdre together accounting for at least 20% of the blend. Accessory varieties including Carignan and Cinsault are permitted up to a maximum of 15%, and white varieties are capped at 5%. Red Rasteau is often produced from 100% Grenache Noir, though Syrah adds colour and complexity while Mourvèdre contributes structure. The Vin Doux Naturel can be red, white, or rosé. Styles aged under 30 months are labelled Grenat (red), Blanc (white), or Rosé; those aged more than 30 months become Tuilé (red) or Ambré (white and rosé). After five years of aging, any Tuilé or Ambré may carry the designation Hors d'Âge. Rancio is a separate and rare style that develops distinctive oxidative, nutty character from extended maturation.

• Dry red: minimum 50% Grenache Noir, minimum 20% combined Syrah and/or Mourvèdre, up to 15% accessory varieties; often made as 100% Grenache Noir
• VDN Grenat and Tuilé: minimum 75% Grenache Noir; all other VDN colours require minimum 90% combined Grenache (Noir, Gris, or Blanc)
• VDN aging ladder: Grenat/Blanc/Rosé under 30 months; Tuilé/Ambré over 30 months; Hors d'Âge over 5 years; Rancio is an oxidative style from extended maturation

Domaine La Soumade was founded by André Roméro in 1979. His son Frédéric joined in 1996 after completing his oenology studies, and Bordeaux consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt was engaged from 2002. The estate covers 26 hectares in Rasteau plus one hectare in Gigondas, with many vines between 50 and 100 years old and yields that can fall below 20 hl/ha on top cuvées. Ortas, the commercial label of the Cave de Rasteau cooperative, was founded in 1925 and is one of the oldest cooperatives in the Rhône Valley. It groups around 80 growers cultivating over 650 hectares and is the leading producer of the AOC Rasteau appellation. Domaine Gourt de Mautens, created by Jérôme Bressy in 1996 on his family's old vines, became one of the most acclaimed estates in Rasteau before Bressy chose to declassify to IGP Vaucluse from the 2010 vintage onwards, preferring to preserve his multi-variety blends over complying with stricter AOC variety restrictions.

• Domaine La Soumade: founded 1979 by André Roméro; 26 hectares in Rasteau with vines 50 to 100 years old; Stéphane Derenoncourt engaged as consultant from 2002
• Cave de Rasteau (Ortas): founded 1925, one of the oldest cooperatives in the Rhône Valley; approximately 80 growers, over 650 ha, and the leading producer of the appellation
• Domaine Gourt de Mautens: created by Jérôme Bressy in 1996 on a 15-hectare family property; farmed biodynamically since 2008; declassified to IGP Vaucluse from 2010 to retain his broad multi-variety blend

Rasteau AOC covers both dry red wine and Vin Doux Naturel under a single cahier des charges. For dry red wines, Grenache Noir must represent at least 50%, Syrah and Mourvèdre together at least 20%, accessory varieties (Carignan, Cinsault, and others) no more than 15%, and white varieties no more than 5%. The base yield for dry reds is 38 hl/ha. For fortified wines, Grenache (all three colours combined) must make up at least 90% of the blend, with at least 75% Grenache Noir required for Grenat and Tuilé styles. Grapes must reach a minimum 252 g/L sugar in must. Mutage uses neutral grape-based alcohol of at least 96% abv, added at 5 to 10% of the volume of the must. The finished fortified wine must be at least 15% abv and contain at least 45 g/L residual sugar. The VDN base yield is capped at 30 hl/ha.

• Dry red: Grenache Noir 50% minimum, Syrah/Mourvèdre 20% minimum combined, accessory varieties 15% maximum, white varieties 5% maximum; base yield 38 hl/ha
• VDN fortification: neutral alcohol at minimum 96% abv added at 5 to 10% of must volume; finished wine minimum 15% abv (maximum 21.5%), minimum 45 g/L RS; base yield 30 hl/ha
• VDN label hierarchy: Grenat/Blanc/Rosé under 30 months aging; Tuilé (from Grenat) and Ambré (from Blanc/Rosé) after 30 months; Hors d'Âge after 5 years; Rancio for oxidatively-matured wines

Rasteau is a picturesque village perched on south-facing slopes, with the Dentelles de Montmirail providing a dramatic backdrop to the northeast and Mont Ventoux visible to the east. The village neighbours Roaix to the northeast, Sablet to the south, and Cairanne to the west. The Cave de Rasteau cooperative, trading as Ortas, opened a new tasting caveau at the foot of the village in 2007 or 2008, a 600 square metre mineral stone building offering tastings, a cultural gallery, and guided vineyard tours throughout the year. Domaine La Soumade also offers cellar visits with views over the Dentelles de Montmirail. Rasteau historically belonged to the Comtat Venaissin, a territory once administered by the popes.

• The Ortas Cave de Rasteau caveau at the foot of the village offers tastings, art gallery space, and guided vineyard walks year-round
• Rasteau sits in the heart of the southern Rhône crus, close to Cairanne, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and the Dentelles de Montmirail hiking trails
• The village historically belonged to the Comtat Venaissin, a papal territory, which shaped its role as a wine supplier to ecclesiastical communities in the Middle Ages