Rasteau

🇫🇷 France

AOC Rare find

A fortress of old-vine Grenache on clay-limestone slopes, Rasteau held VDN (fortified sweet wine) AOC since 1944 but waited until 2010 to earn cru recognition for its powerful dry reds.

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Region profile

History

Vines for 2,000 years; earliest documented source from 1414 lists 30 hectares at just 6 hl/ha yield. Fortified production introduced 1934; VDN AOC 1944 (one of only two Southern Rhône). For decades, dry reds sold as Côtes du Rhône Villages. After 8 years lobbying, INAO approved cru elevation in 2010.

Climate: North of Avignon between Aygues and Ouvèze rivers; 963 hectares on clay-limestone south-facing slopes at 200-400m; Dentelles de Montmirail and Mont Ventoux moderate Mediterranean climate
Signature wines: Domaine La Soumade Rasteau Cuvée Confiance - André Roméro, whom Robert Parker dubbed "the superstar of Rasteau," founded this in 1979. Son Frédéric joined 1996, partnered with Stéphane Derenoncourt 2002. Also: Domaine des Escaravailles "Héritage 1924." Price: $25-45.
What sets it apart: One of only two Southern Rhône appellations producing both dry red AND fortified VDN under separate AOC designations. VDN tradition since 1944 produces wines in multiple styles including ultra-rare Rancio. 2010 cru promotion recognized what old-vine Grenache achieves here.

Facts

Double-AOC village: Rasteau VDN (1944) and Rasteau Cru (2010). VDN comes from 50-80-year-old vines producing no more than one bottle per plant. Cave de Rasteau cooperative, founded 1925, is one of oldest in Southern Rhône.

Region profile from the Wine Memories wine-data corpus · verified January 2026