In the glass
Aroma: fig jam, dried cherry, roasted coffee, caramel, walnut
Palate: raisined fruit, chocolate, nutmeg, dried fig, warm sweetness
A traditional oxidative-style Rasteau VDN; Grenache mutage produces rich, sweet wine with fig, chocolate, and coffee complexity. Excellent with dark chocolate and blue cheese.
What it pairs with
-
Dark chocolate fondant
Classic VDN-chocolate pairing; fig and coffee notes echo the bittersweet chocolate. -
Roquefort cheese
Sweet VDN with salty, creamy blue cheese is a Southern French classic. -
Dried figs and walnuts
The wine's dried fruit and walnut character echoes the nut-and-fruit plate.
How to serve Domaine La Soumade Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a small fortified-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Dark chocolate fondant, Roquefort cheese, Dried figs and walnuts. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Rasteau VDN has been produced in the village for centuries; the style involves adding neutral grape spirit to arrest fermentation (mutage). La Soumade's oxidative-aged Rasteau VDN is among the appellation's most traditional and characterful examples.
- 1985 — La Soumade begins producing Rasteau VDN as a distinct wine
- 2010 — Rasteau VDN receives its own protected designation within the Rasteau AOC
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine La Soumade
- Grapes
- Grenache (100%)
- Classification
- Rasteau AOC (Vin Doux Naturel)
- Oak
- Extended ageing in old demi-muids; oxidative style
- ABV
- 16.5%
- Price
- EUR 15-30 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1985
Frequently asked about Domaine La Soumade Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel
What does Domaine La Soumade Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel taste like?
On the nose, fig jam, dried cherry, roasted coffee, caramel, walnut. On the palate, raisined fruit, chocolate, nutmeg, dried fig, warm sweetness. Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. A traditional oxidative-style Rasteau VDN; Grenache mutage produces rich, sweet wine with fig, chocolate, and coffee complexity. Excellent with dark chocolate and blue cheese.
When should I drink Domaine La Soumade Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel?
Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Domaine La Soumade Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel?
Dark chocolate fondant is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Roquefort cheese and Dried figs and walnuts. Classic VDN-chocolate pairing; fig and coffee notes echo the bittersweet chocolate.
What grapes are in Domaine La Soumade Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel?
The blend is Grenache (100%). The wine is classified as Rasteau AOC (Vin Doux Naturel).