Which AOC is known for producing red wines in the Southern Rhône area?

• A. Rasteau
• B. Tavel
• C. Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• D. Vacqueyras

Answer: (A)

In the Southern Rhône, red wine is the dominant product and certain AOCs are specifically identified by their red offerings. Rasteau is the one among these options that is most closely associated with red wines—the red wines from this AOC are typically Grenache-based blends with the supporting roles of varieties like Syrah and Mourvèdre, shaped by warm hillside soils that give depth, structure, and aging potential. Tavel, by contrast, is famous for rosé, not red. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is renowned for its red wines as well, but the question points to the AOC whose identity is most strongly tied to red production in this group, which fits Rasteau. Vacqueyras also makes red, but it isn’t as emblematic in the context of the prompt as Rasteau.