John xxii erected the famous castle that overlooks the village and the wines of this area became known as vin du pape. He soon realized that all available documentation was fragmented, incomplete, behind the times, and lacking in insight. Mar 25, 2016 chateauneufdupape sits astride the swiftmoving rhone river in the sundrenched heart of provence, known as the vaucluse. Chateauneufdupape blanc offered by village wine imports. It is famous for powerful, fullbodied red wines made predominantly from the classic southern rhone grape trio. Straddling both categories are some very good wines at reasonable prices including wines from the region of gigondas pronounced zhigondahs. One of the worlds greatest white wines is also one of its least known.
Dont stress about figuring out logistics in a foreign language, instead relax with the help of a guide and wellplanned itinerary including entrance to. Les caves saint charles chateauneufdupape 2020 all you. Wine with shepards pie lamb stew wine with munster cheese. Explore the villages of gigondas and vacqueyras, stopping at traditional wineries to sample both red and white wines, and learn the secrets of local wine production. Chateauneufdupape winebid wine auction search page 3. It is for red and white wines though 95% are redfrom four communes around the village of that name in the avignonorange area of the southern rhone valley where it is the bestknown and prestigious appellation. Harrys instinctive eagerness motivated him to delve deeper into all aspects of chateauneufdupape.
Chateauneufdupape private wine tours by tours du rhone. With typical chateauneuf power, the wine delivers a fresh and spicy nose of red cherry embellished with notes of sage and thyme. Many vineyards here are strewn with large pebbles known as galets, whose soft, rounded form stands in. The vineyards are bounded to the west by the rhone river and to. Blends and singlevarietal bottlings are typically based on the soft and floral grenache blanc but clairette, bourboulenc and roussanne are grown with some significance. Chateauneufdupape is best known for its bold and fruity red winesaround 95% of the regions production is red winewith a high alcohol content a minimum of 12. Many vineyards here are strewn with large pebbles known as galets, whose soft, rounded form stands in direct contrast to the gnarly, twisted. The appellation enjoys diversity in terms of soil and land, made up of staggered plateaux and. The ogier firm has been in chateauneufdupape for over a century, and is widely known for its expertise in rhone valley terroirs and winemaking. Chateauneufdupape, the appellation, is a large area of nearly 8,000 vineyard acres centered around the picturesque town of chateauneufdupape. The appellation enjoys diversity in terms of soil and land, made up of staggered plateaux and terraces where one of the geological defining characteristics is the presence of large smooth pebbles that trap. Apr 06, 2017 todays wine of the day is an extraordinary chateauneufdupape representing all of the regions permitted grape varieties.
The truth is that for all that chateauneufdupape is one of the great wines of france, its popularity also means there is an awful lot of it about, and quality does not always live up to the wines reputation. The one and only 500page book on the great appellation of chateauneufdupape. The most common grapes in this region famed for its unique terroir are grenache, syrah, and mourvedre. Jean deydier and his son pierre have extended the estate upto its present size of. Chateauneuf du pape chateauneuf du pape was one of the first appellations founded when that system was set up in the early 1930s. The palate is equally powerful, with sinuous tannins and huge length. It is has almost 500 pages and weighs over two and a half kilo. Pierre is committed to perpetuating the family traditions and expertise in the cultivation of wines and winemaking. The rhone valley produces many great wines such as hermitage and chateauneuf du pape. Chateauneufdupape is the largest and most important wine appellation in the southern rhone. This is understandable because only 7% of the wines are white. The thirteen grape varieties aoc chateauneufdupape.
Only about 67% of wine from chateauneuf du pape is white. Le clos du mont olivet has been managed by the sabon family for 5 generations. The wines of chateauneufdupape generally cross a wine lovers radar at some point, but even those who enjoy the vibrant grenachebased reds from frances first officially declared appellation are often unfamiliar with the regions white wines. The officially demarcated wine region enjoys a very warm climate, baked by the mediterranean sun. Chateauneuf du pape is a french aoc of 3,200 hectares located in the southeast of france in the provencealpescote dazur region. Chateauneufdupape is the most famous southern rhone appellation and the finest expression of the grenache grape and grenache based blends. Here are a few pairing ideas for best food with chateauneufdupape. Chateauneufdupape is a historic town in the southern rhone valley, famous for its fullbodied, powerful red wines. Sep 09, 2009 harry karis has written the definitive book on the breathtaking wines of chateauneuf du pape. It is likely to be the standard tome on chateauneuf for the foreseeable future. Chateauneufdupape is the most southern and important qualitydriven appellation in the southern rhone valley. As a result, it is closer to a western wine region than a. The one and only 500page book on the great appellation of chateauneuf du pape. Dec 07, 20 yapp, again, has a stunner, the opulent, heady le vieux donjon chateauneufdupape 2009 14% abv, which is delicious now, but will be even better in a few years time, provided you can afford to.
A french white wine, manually harvested on the north side of chateauneufdupape, fance. Located in southeastern france just north of the avignon hills, the name of the appellation means new castle of the pope and it is a reference to the 14th century, when the popes of avignon. Often referred to as the poor mans chateauneuf du pape, these wines are very similar to the style. With the following centuries came a reinforcement of papal viticulture and 1929 saw the official emergence of the chateauneufdupape aoc. Noticed by pope clement v, this precious terroir starts rising under the reign of h. It offers excellent wines and picturesque hills of vineyards. Supermarket chateauneuf is often supplied by a large negociant, not necessarily based in the southern rhone valley. Chateauneuf du pape covers almost 8,000 acres in the southern rhone valley of france. Indulge in a full day of wine tasting as you roam the vineyards and medieval villages of chateauneufdupape, one of the regions most important wine appellations. Chateauneufdupape wine region tour and tastings from. Harry karis has written the definitive book on the breathtaking wines of chateauneuf du pape.
The house is located in a quiet area and there is also a nice place beside the house to sit outside. It also produces great value wines such as cotes du rhone. While both red and white wines are made here, it is the red wine that has made this area famous. He therefore decided to undertake a major challenge and write his own book about chateauneufdupape. According to wine critic robert parker who is huge fan of these wines. The wine of chateauneuf du pape takes its name from the relocation of the papal court to avignon. One of the most famous wine regions in the world is chateauneuf du pape.
When chateauneufdupape became the first french appellation controlee wine in 1936, different grape varieties were authorized each contributing its characteristics to. The first known origins of the vines in the region can be traced back to 1157, although a vineyard have certainly been there before. On the nose, the wine is very delicate and powerful at the same time, red fruit, black currants, blackberries, spices, thyme and lavender. We were in a very new and modern house for one night. Experience one of the most famous wine regions, chateauneufdupape. The history of chateauneufdupape can be traced back to the 14th century when the papal court of rome relocated to avignon, close to a limestone quarry for construction. Price chateauneufdupape 1982 vintage chateauneufdupape. Aromas of black berries, cherry and plum with under notes of wood. Aug 24, 2017 2015 chateauneuf du pape vintage report tasting notes, ratings for all the best wines along with a vintage summary and tips for all the best wines to buy. It is has almost 500 pages and weighs over two and a. Understandably in a specialist book of this type the section on the domaines was by far the largest. Blessed with a dry mediterranean climate ideal for the cultivation of vines and the production of wine, this picturesque wine region fashions a vast array of the worlds greatest red wines, thanks in large part to the proliferation of oldvine grenache. It is home to more than 3,200 hectares of vineyards and over 80 growers. Chateauneufdupape is a french aoc of 3,200 hectares located in the southeast of france in the provencealpescote dazur region.
Learn about what makes this area so special with visits to some of its most prestigious wineries. Chateauneufdupape winebid wine auction search page 2. May 12, 2017 the best chateauneufdupapes are among the most natural expressions of grapes, place and vintage. Chateauneufdupape vineyards are farmed organically or biodynamically, and the regions abundant sunshine and frequent wind called le mistral practically preclude the need for treating the fields with herbicides or pesticides. Oct 12, 2016 chateauneufdupape wine chateauneufdupape is a historic village between the towns of orange and avignon, in frances southern rhone valley. A spicyfrench red with ripe flavors of black fruit, coffee and pepper. May 09, 2017 for most people chateauneufdupape in the southern rhone valley means red wine. Explore the provencal countryside, see the famous lavender fields, and taste wine from the renowned chateauneufdupape vineyards on this hasslefree tour. Chateauneufdupape southern rhone wine, france majestic wine. Dont stress about figuring out logistics in a foreign language, instead relax with the help of a guide and wellplanned itinerary including entrance to major sights.