Wines of the appellation Vin Doux Naturel

The history of the appellation

It is in the heart of the Rasteau vineyard that the Vin Doux Naturel was born.
The history of the Rasteau vineyard goes back to Roman times, but it was not until the 11th century that it really began to be exploited, at least partially, by the Catholic Church, which made it its main wine supplier.
It was in 1944 that the specificity of the Rasteau territory was put forward, with the recognition of the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée "Rasteau" for the "Vin Doux Naturel". This production has contributed, and still contributes today, to the strong reputation of the whole production of Rasteau.

The Vin Doux Naturels in the vineyard of Rasteau

Composed mainly of Grenache, the vines of the Vins Doux Naturels rest on stony and sandy soils, which will bring to the vine the nutrients necessary to the elaboration of these wines. 
There are different types of Vins Doux Naturels. The reds, known as "garnet", offer an intense aromatic richness, reminiscent of ripe stone fruits. The whites generally express themselves with floral and honeyed notes, while the rosés most often present fruity notes of kirsch, cherry in brandy which evolve on fruit jam and dried fruits. The Vins Doux Naturels benefiting from the mentions "Hors d'Âge" and "Rancio" present beautiful tannic structures and notes of dried fruits or roasting.

The Domaine des Nymphes within the Appellation

All the natural sweet wines of the Domaine des Nymphes are composed of 100% Grenache Noir, the emblematic grape variety of the Rasteau vineyard, which gives wines rich in alcohol, very fat and powerful, with an unparalleled aromatic richness and a tannic structure promising an excellent potential for aging.
The Domaine des Nymphes offers you four Vins Doux Naturels, a "Grenat" vintage 2017, an "Ambré", a "Rosé" vintage 2014 and an "Hors d'Âge", each of which has its own distinct character, all of which are hand-picked and carefully sorted directly in the vineyard, and then vinified using the traditional method.