Ep 405: Rasteau – An Overview of the Naturally Bountiful Cru of the Côtes du Rhône

<p><a href="https://www.vins-rasteau.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener"><img style= "display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src= "https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/45638/Rasteaulogo.png" alt= "" width="261" height="173" /></a></p> <p>Thank you to the region of <a href= "https://www.vins-rasteau.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Rasteau</a> for the educational partnership and financial support for this show and for teaching us about this appellation, full of history, excellent wine, and passionate producers!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://www.vins-rasteau.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Rasteau</a>, a Cru from the southern Côtes du Rhône vineyards, has a unique terroir. Its delicious wines are mainly dry reds made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, with a small production of the sweet vins doux naturels. The cru is small with just 940 ha/2,323 acres making about 359,167 cases/yr, 4.31 mm bottles (in 2020). Around 60 producers form a very collegial community of passionate winemakers dedicated to the region.</p> <p> </p> <p>The <a href="Rasteau">Rasteau</a> terroir is varied, with a hot Mediterranean climate and low rainfall. Some parts of Rasteau experience the effects of the Mistral – the strong, local, northern wind – strongly, while others are sheltered from it.</p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href= "https://www.vins-rasteau.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener"><img src= "https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/45638/IMG_8716_Village_Et1.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p>The appellation is on a south-facing hill that faces the Dentelles de Montmirail, the limestone peaks that surround the southern appellations. The area has a diversity of soils – with three distinct areas:</p> <ol> <li>A plateau, with elevations reaching 360 M/1181 ft. This area has sandy, stony soils, which retain heat well, storing it by day and releasing it to the vines at night.</li> <li>A mid-slope area between 160 m- 290 m/525 ft – 951 ft, the main area for vines with var