Vineyards: they form the majority of the village's terrain located in the French Department of the Vaucluse.
Soil types: brow and calcareous, skeletal soil on marl and red soil on sandstone.
Climate: Mediterranean, the slopes have a Southern exposure and are slightly protected from the Mistral.
Background: the vineyards of Rasteau were, in the 17th Century, some of the largest in the Vaucluse and were known mainly for their fortified wines. Little by little, economic considerations forced the Côtes du Rhône Villages to adopt the conditions of the Appellation, and they were consecrated Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau in 1967.
Area under cultivation*: 781 hectares, yearly production: 29,175 hl; basic yield: 37 hl/hectare.
* Source: harvest statement 2004.
Grape variety mix:
For the reds, Grenache 50% minimum, Syrah and / or Mourvèdre 20% minimum, other grape varieties of the Appellation tolerated 20% maximum.
For the rosé, Grenache 50% minimum, Syrah and / or Mourvèdre 20% minimum, other grape varieties tolerated 20% maximum, white grape varieties 20% maximum (Grenache, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier).
For the whites, Grenache white, Clairette white, Marsanne white, Roussanne white, Bourboulenc white, Viognier white, other white grape varieties tolerated 20% maximum.
Minimum alcoholic strength: for the red 12.5%, for the rosé and whites 12%.
