Vin Doux Naturel

Question 1

Where is VDN produced?

Answer 1

Rhone: Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Languedoc: Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois
Roussillon: Banyuls, Maury, Riversaltes, Muscat de Riversaltes

Question 2

What is the climate?

Answer 2

Warm Mediterranean

Question 3

How do they create sweet wines?

Answer 3

Raisining on the vine- which often happens in Banyuls

Question 4

What grape varieties are permitted in blends?

Answer 4

Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, Muscat of Alexandria for Rivesaltes, Grenache Noir

Question 5

What are muscat wines like?

Answer 5

aromatic, orange blossom, spice, fine grape flavours. Oxidation is avoided and wines are sold when young.

Question 6

What are Grenache wines like?

Answer 6

Two key styles- ruby and tawny. ABV is lower than in port. The oxidative style is typically referred to as rancio

Question 7

What does Banyuls have to be for a grape?

Answer 7

50% Grenache

Question 8

What is Banyuls Grand Cru?

Answer 8

75% Grenache- min 30 months oak barrels

Question 9

What is Ambre?

Answer 9

Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, minimum 30 months oxidative aging

Question 10

What is Tuile?

Answer 10

Grenache noir, 30 months oxidative aging

Question 11

What is Grenat?

Answer 11

Grenache Noir, aged without exposure to oxygen

Question 12

What is Hors d’age?

Answer 12

Ambre or Tuile style with a minimum 5 years aging