Two appellations, two areas
Rasteau, in Vaucluse, has long produced a vin doux naturel, recognised as an appellation in 1944: Grenache fortified with alcohol during fermentation, in the tradition of southern French VDNs. Its area extends beyond the commune of Rasteau to plots in Cairanne and Sablet.
Dry reds, meanwhile, were sold under the Côtes du Rhône Villages label. They obtained their own appellation in 2010, making Rasteau a cru in its own right, but restricted to the commune of Rasteau alone. The two wines now coexist in geographical areas that do not entirely overlap.
A south-facing amphitheatre
The vineyard is arranged in terraces on a south-facing slope, protected from the mistral by hills. Soils mix blue marl, clay and limestone scree, with very well-drained stony areas.
This exposure and shelter allow Grenache to reach high ripeness, an advantage for sweet wine but demanding vigilance in dry reds, which must retain freshness.
Fortification on the skins, a curiosity
Rasteau vin doux naturel comes as grenat, a red aged away from air to preserve fruit, and tuilé, aged oxidatively for prune, coffee and dried-fruit notes. A long-aged rancio version also exists.
Dry reds are dense and peppery, in the family of Gigondas and Cairanne, with five to twelve years' potential. Serve reds around 17°C and sweet wine at 14°C with a chocolate dessert or blue cheese.