VDN styles

Question 1

Overall styles VDN

Answer 1

Overall:
* VDNs produced by adding grape spirit to stop fermentation - create a sweet, fortified wine.
* minimum RSr varies according to individual appellation:
* Muscat based: from 100 g/L to 125 g/L
* at least 45 g/L for Grenache-based wines.
in practice many Grenache-based around 100 g/L RS.

• Unaged VDNs protected from oxygen throughout the winemaking process to retain fresh, primary aromas.
• decisions during maturation - significant impact on style
  relatively young or undergo oxidative maturation

Question 2

Roussillon styles summary

Answer 2

Styles:
*Grenat/Rimage – unaged styles of red VDN. Grenat is used in Maury and Rivesaltes. Rimage is used in Banyuls.

• Blanc– unaged styles of white
  VDN.
• Tuilé /Traditionnel – oxidatively aged styles of red VDN. Tuilé is used in Maury and Rivesaltes. Traditionnel is used in Banyuls.
• Ambré – oxidatively aged styles of white VDN.
• Hors d’âge – red or white VDNs that have been oxidatively aged for a longer period of
  time than Tuilé or Ambré wines
• Rancio – red or white VDNs with ‘rancio’ character

Question 3

🇫🇷 RHÔNE

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC

Answer 3

🇫🇷 RHÔNE

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC

viti
* terraces SE facing slopes of Dentelles de Montmirail (small mountain chain) = shelter from cold, N. Mistral

• one of the hottest and driest parts of France,
• Cooler air from the mountains provides some relief to the vines
• majority: white from M.B.a P.G.
  also: Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge (dark-skinned mutation of M.B.a.PG known as Brown Muscat in Australia
• used to produce red and rosé
  305ha
• Avg yield: 16hl/ha = very small production
• harvested ripe, though not overripe or shriveled, to maintain fresh acidity
  vini:
  protective winemaking
  Fortified at 4-6%
  always unaged style
  Min 100g/L
  style:
  med bodied
  med acidity
  low alco (around 15% abv)
  primary aromas (blossom, grape, peach, honey)
  lighter than VDN from Languedoc

Producer: Domaine des Bernardins

Question 4

🇫🇷 LANGUEDOC

Answer 4

🇫🇷 LANGUEDOC

VDN Production: Only \~2% of regional output
* must be unaged style
* 100% from Muscat B.a.P.G.
* Min15% ABV

viti+style
location creates subtle stylistic contrasts

Muscat de Frontignan
largest appellation (nearly 800ha)
south-west of Montpellier
between the Mediterranean and the Gardiole hills
low altitude = relatively warm
fuller body
tropical fruits
110g/L RS

Muscat de St-Jean-de-Minervois
north-east corner of Minervois
200ha
around 250–300 m elevation = climate cooler + calcareous clay soils warming longer
Longer growing season = more finesse and complexity
higher acidity
lighter body
stone fruit and floral aromas
125g/L RS

Question 5

🇫🇷 RHÔNE

Rasteau VDN

Answer 5

Viticulture:
• Gentle south-facing slopes for max sunlight exposure
• Enclave planting offers some protection from cold Mistral
• Grapes ripen easily with juicy, jammy flavours — ideal for VDN
• 5 ha; yield: 23 hl/ha
• Vines mostly 50–80 years old

Vinification:
• Rosé made by saignée and fortified off skins (“Doré”)
• Tiny proportion of white; majority is red
• Rasteau Rancio: min 12 months oxidative ageing
• Red: min 75% Grenache Noir
• Up to 25% Grenache Gris/Blanc
+ other southern Rhône grapes (e.g. Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne)

Style:
• Red, rosé, or white; most is red
• Unaged: cherry, plum notes
• Oxidative: dried fruit, nutty
• ABV: low–medium (typically 16–18%)
• Min 15% abv; min 45 g/L RS

Question 6

🇫🇷 Roussillon
Grand Roussillon AOC
Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC
Rivesaltes AOC

Answer 6

Grand Roussillon AOC:
• Broad, specifically defined area for VDNs outside the five main AOCs
• Can include declassified wines from those AOCs

Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC:
• Highest production of all Roussillon appellations
• Made only in unaged style
• Typically a blend of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains & Muscat of Alexandria
• Exceptionally high RS: 100 g/L

Rivesaltes AOC:
• Broad range of VDN styles: Grenat, Tuilé, Ambré, Hors d’âge, Rancio
• Whites: max 20% Muscat; rest Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Malvoisie
• Reds mainly Grenache Noir
• Notable producer: Domaine Cazes

Question 7

🇫🇷 Roussillon
Maury AOC

Answer 7

Maury AOC:
• Located north of Roussillon, 100–400 m elevation
• Dark schist soils (retain heat by day, release at night) aid ripening
• Majority red: min 75% Grenache Noir
• Small amount of white VDN, usually unaged
• Dry, unfortified wines made under Maury Sec AOC

Question 8

🇫🇷 Roussillon
Banyuls AOC and GC Banuyls

Answer 8

Banyuls AOC:
• Eastern Pyrenees; bordered by Mediterranean (east) and Spain (south)
• Steep terraced schist slopes
• Mostly red VDNs: min 50% Grenache Noir + Grenache Blanc/Gris allowed
• Small amount of white VDN produced
• Notable producer: Domaine Vial-Magneres

Banyuls Grand Cru AOC:
• Same area as Banyuls; only for red VDN
• Min 75% Grenache Noir
• Min 30 months maturation
• Longer ageing can qualify as Hors d’âge or Rancio