Rasteau [rass-TOH]

from

A village in the southern portion of France's RHÔNE region, northeast of CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. It's one of the seventeen villages entitled to use the CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES AC, and the label usually also includes the village's name. These wines generally exhibit dark color, spicy fruit, and enough TANNINS to age well. The main grapes used for red wines are GRENACHE, SYRAH, CINSAUT, and MOURVÈDRE. A specialty of Rasteau is a VIN DOUX NATUREL, a category of sweet, FORTIFIED WINE (red or white) made from Grenache grapes.