Vin Doux Naturel

Vin Doux Naturel (VDN) is a French category of naturally sweet fortified wine made by adding neutral grape spirit to fermenting grape must or wine. This process, known as mutage, stops or slows fermentation and preserves some of the grape’s natural sugar. The resulting wine is sweet and fortified, with styles ranging from fresh and fruity to rich, oxidative and concentrated.

How Vin Doux Naturel is made

Grapes are harvested ripe, crushed and allowed to begin fermentation. Neutral grape spirit is added during fermentation, raising the alcohol level and preventing the yeast from converting all the sugar into alcohol. The wine is then matured according to the intended style, which may be fresh and fruit-driven or aged oxidatively in wood or glass.

Important appellations and styles

• Banyuls: a fortified wine from Roussillon, often based on Grenache and available in several ageing styles.
• Maury: a Roussillon VDN, traditionally based on Grenache, made in red and other styles.
• Rivesaltes: a broad Roussillon appellation producing several sweet fortified styles.
• Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise: an aromatic sweet VDN from the southern Rhône, made from Muscat varieties.
• Muscat de Rivesaltes: an aromatic sweet fortified wine from Roussillon.

Food pairing

Fresh Muscat VDN pairs with fruit tarts, citrus desserts and fresh fruit. Aged Banyuls and Maury can accompany chocolate, nuts, dried fruit and blue cheese. The sweetness, alcohol and oxidative character should guide the pairing.

Example: serve Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise with peach tart, or Banyuls with dark chocolate and toasted hazelnuts.

Chef’s note: Vin Doux Naturel is a French production category, not a single grape or flavour profile. Check the appellation and ageing style.