Rasteau

Rasteau is a commune of the département of Vaucluse in the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur. Administratively, it is assigned to the Canton of Vaison -la -Romaine and Carpentras arrondissement.

• 3.1 Viticulture 3.1.1 Soil and climate
• 3.1.2 varieties
• 3.1.3 producers
• 3.1.4 Quality Assurance
• 3.1.5 income
• 3.1.6 Wine Festival

Geography

The wine village with 805 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) lies on the right (western) bank of the Ouvèze 18 km north-east of Orange and 35 km north-northeast of Avignon. The village is connected to the road department D69, D975 road which crosses the department in the southeast of the municipal territory. The climate is Mediterranean, but the place is heavily exposed to the Mistral, which can reach top speeds of up to 90-100 km / h throughout the year, resulting in the area often occurs and leads to a delicate cooling.

History

The Roman colonization has left its mark in the area. In the district of Haute- Rives a resting place was exposed with rich grave goods. Other discoveries that are supposedly some still older, were not going exactly assigned, such as an altar with mother goddesses, a grave with a scenic mask, hair pins, votive statuettes and the grave inscription of a prefect of the Gallic tribe Voconces.

In the early and high Middle Ages, the bishops of Vaison prevailed in religious and secular affairs of the area. The oldest written record of Rasteau be found in a pamphlet about belonging to a community property with the name of Saint- Martin. Bishop Pierre II de Mirabel took on in 1009 this matter. 1188 seized Raymond V of Toulouse, Margrave of Provence, who was in dispute with bishop Bérenger de Reilhane, owned by the village. The Wars of Religion came through the region without damage.

Toponymy

The oldest attested spelling of the village name is derived from the Rastellum homonymous Latin word. This resulted in the French râteau (Eng. "rake ", or " rake "). This is a Oronym, so originally denoted a mountain.

Coat of arms

In Azure, four golden chains that are held together in the center of a ring of the same color, a Schrage cross.

Demographics

Economy

In the mid-19th century, the town with its loamy soils thanks to its fruit and its olive was known. The lower part of the township, which was often flooded by the high waters of the Ouvèze, consisted of meadows. Today, the village lives mainly on viticulture and the (wine) tourism.

Viniculture

The vineyards of Rasteau is a named after the village appellation in the southern Côtes du Rhône wine region. Since November 22, 2010 Rasteau has the status of a Appellation d' Origine ( AOC short ). There are mainly red wine ( Rasteau rouge ) and small amounts of rosé wine produced ( Rasteau rosé). The growing area of Rasteau AOC is limited for the reds on the community Rasteau, for the rosé contrast to the municipalities Rasteau, Sablet and Cairanne and extends over 733 hectares. The Rasteau rouge impresses more by its massiveness as its elegance. Recommend caterers wine especially at the game. It may be ten years or more mature in the cellar and also benefits usually depend.

Soil and climate

Almost all the vineyards of the town, on the slope of the Montagne de ventabren. The terraces in this alluvial material from Alpine are composed of a matrix of reddish clay minerals, siliceous rock and greyish limestone. The climate is Mediterranean. The vineyards, which produce the high-class wines are oriented to the south and tectonically screened by the Mistral.

Varieties

The Rasteau rouge is not a varietal wine, but a blend ( a blend ) from different grape varieties, the red Grenache clearly dominated. Supplement varieties Mourvedre and Syrah. As a side places is also the following wide range allowed: Bourboulenc, Brun Argenté (local Camarèse or Vaccarese called ), Carignan, Cinsault, Clairette Blanche, Clairette Rose, Counoise, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Marsanne, Muscardin, Piquepoul Blanc, Piquepoul Noir, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Ugni Blanc and Viognier.

Producers

The winegrowers of Rasteau was founded in 1925. Its members began to focus on quality rather than quantity. In the 1970s also emerged independent wineries. The cooperative, which today counts 170 members, provides around 55 % of total production, and there are 34 independent winegrowers, with 20 of them in the community Rasteau operate.

Quality assurance

The yield is restricted by law for the red wine on low 38-42 hectoliters per hectare; actually there are an average of 35 hl / ha. The minimum alcohol content is mandatory and must be at least 12.5 percent by volume. Typically, however, it is higher, in a good year he scores an amazing 15%.

Earnings

The annual income is on average around 27,000 hectoliters, which calculates to about 3.6 million bottles. 80 % of the wine is then marketed in bottles; 40 % of which is exported.

Wine festival

The wine festival called Nuit des vins ( "Night of Wine" ) was launched in 1986. It has since become a tradition and is held in mid August annually.

Attractions

• The medieval castle was first mentioned in 1255 under the name Castris Rastello. Bordered on Church and was subordinated to the bishops of Vaison. Today very little remains are only preserved it.

• The parish church of Saint -Didier

• The local chapel of Notre Dame des Vignerons ( " Lady of the winery " ) dedicated and goes back to the 17th century. It got its present name, however, until 1930. Was restored in 1957 and 1961.

• The main gate of the medieval fortification belt was built over in 1753 with a clock tower.

• Remnants of the castle
• Church Saint -Didier
• Chapel of Notre Dame des Vignerons
• Clock Tower

Twinning

• Houyet, Namur, Belgium