Vin doux naturel (VDN) is a style of lightlyfortified wine, typically made from whiteMuscat grapes or redGrenache grapes in the south of France.
There are numerousappellations (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, AOC) for VDN, including:
Corsica:
Languedoc:
Rhône:
Roussillon:
As the name suggests,Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise,Muscat de Rivesaltes andMuscat de Frontignan are all made from the white Muscat grape, whilstBanyuls andMaury are made from redGrenache. Other wines, like those ofRivesaltes AOC, can be made from red or white grapes. Regardless of the grape, fermentation is stopped by the addition of up to 10% of a 190proof (95% abv)grape spirit.[1] The Grenache vins doux naturels can be made in an oxidised or unoxidised style whereas the Muscat wines are protected from oxidation to retain their freshness.[2]
Specific substyles, depending on AOC, include five colors: blanc (white),rosé (pink), ambré (amber), grenat (garnet), tuilé (tiled); and two further qualifications: hors d'âge (beyond age), andrancio [fr] (rancid, "mellowed with age").
The production of vins doux naturels was perfected by Arnaud de Villeneuve at theUniversity of Montpellier in the 13th century and they are now quite common in theLanguedoc-Roussillon region of southern France.