Rasteau
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Accessory grape varieties
BourboulencBrun ArgentéCarignanCinsautClairette (Clairette Blanche)Clairette RoseCounoiseGrenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanca)Grenache Gris (Garnacha Roja)MarsanneMuscardinPiquepoul BlancPiquepoul NoirRoussanneTerret NoirUgni Blanc (Trebbiano Toscano)Viognier
Terroir
Natural factors
- Plateau soils (320–360 m) are sandy-silty and stony, derived from Tortonian conglomerates; lower Quaternary terraces (Mindel and Riss).
- Semi-arid Mediterranean climate: average annual temperature 13–13.5 °C, 700–800 mm of rainfall concentrated in spring and autumn.
- The rolling relief partially shelters the vineyards from the Mistral (cold northerly wind), reinforcing the semi-arid Mediterranean bioclimate.
Human factors
- Vines are traditionally trained as free-standing bushvines (gobelet), particularly for Grenache N, and more recently as Royat cordon, with short pruning.
- The AOC Rasteau vin doux naturel, established in 1944, predates the recognition of dry reds in 2010, which emerged from a collective of growers sharing their expertise. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Product characteristics
- Still reds (98% of volumes): full-bodied, with good tannic structure, low yields, and good ageing potential.
- VDN 'hors d'âge' / 'Rancio': after extended ageing, notes of dried fruits, empyreumatic or roasted characters.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Sources
- Product specification (BO Agri, PDF), JORF 19 janvier 2024
- Official INAO text (show_texte)
- INAO product entry