Rasteau is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée for wine in the southern Rhône wine region of France, covering both fortified and unfortified wines. The sweet fortified wines (Vin Doux Naturel, VDN) can be red, rosé or white, and have long been produced under the Rasteau AOC. In 2010 dry red wines (unfortified) were also added to the appellation, effective from the 2009 vintage. 97% of production is now the unfortified red wines.
The Rasteau appellation covers mostly the commune of Rasteau, but also includes some vineyards in Cairanne and Sablet. of vineyards are used for the fortified wines, with an annual production of around 1,400 hectoliter, or around 190,000 bottles.
- a maximum of 5% of white wine grapes (which would also be included in the 15% cap on "accessory varietals", above).
Yields should be below 38 hectolitres per hectare.
!Côtes du Rhône
AOC
|-
|Grenache noir
|50% min.
|40% min.
|30%
|-
|Syrah & Mourvèdre
|20% min. total
|25% min. total
|20% min. total
|-
|Grenache, Syrah & Mourvèdre
|70% min. total
|80% min. total
|70% min. total
|-
|Carignan & Cinsaut
|15% max. each
20% max. total
|within "accessories"
|within
"accessories"
|-
|Other "accessories"
|15% max.
|20% max.
|30% max.
|-
|White wine grapes
|5% max.
|5% max.
|5% max.
|-
|Caladoc, Couston and Marselan
|not permitted
|not permitted
|10% max. total
|-
|Maximum yield
|38
|44
|51
|}
References
- Cotes du Rhone Wines Web Site