Recognition of the "Villages " wines was acquired in stages from 1953 to 1979. These ruralties, numbering 74, bearing characterisicts worthy of generating original qualities in their wines were superior to the regional appellation standard. Superior quality was coferred to 16 of the villages, Rasteau, (Vaucluse) being one of them. A vineyard which once belonged to the Count of Toulouse, and later to the diocese of Vaison-la-Romaine, was one of the most eminent in the Vaucluse region. |