Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a village in Provence

Every wine lover knows Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The village of Provence is famous worldwide for the quality and reputation of its wines. Chateauneuf-du-Pape is sitting on a large hill, all around rows of vines hug the gentle slopes, contours, hollows and elevations.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is located in the Vaucluse departement halfway between Avignon and Orange in the valley of the Rhone wich borders its territory.

Testing wine, smelling the soil justifies stopping in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, visitors will find there vineyards, wineries, vineyards galore. But the village also offers some attractions that you should not ignore.

The imposing ruins of a 14th century castle are overlooking Chateauneuf-du-Pape, it was erected by Pope John XXII of Avignon who used it for temporary residence. It was heavily damaged during the Wars of Religion, when the village was occupied by the Huguenots.

The corner tower and a wall were left. The recent destruction dates from the Second World War, the castle was used as a watchtower and ammunition depot for the German army. An explosion just left the tower facade remain. The old village has kept its old stone houses. The church, originally Romanesque, has undergone many restorations.

You may climb to the castle, the view is magnificent: upon the plain of Comtat Venaissin, Mountain of Montmirail and Mont Ventoux to the east, the valley of the Rhone, Avignon and the Alpilles in the south, the rocky heights and the scrublands of Gard Provencal on the right bank of the river.

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Wine

The fame of the wine of Châteauneuf-du-Pape comes from ancient times. The origin of the vineyard dates back to the middle ages when the popes resided in Avignon. The wine was served at the court of Louis XIV. The vineyard is strongly affected by the phylloxera epidemic in the late 19th century, it reconstructed the early 20th century, keeping track of quality, served by an exceptional terroir.

What is the secret of the wine of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the most famous wines of the Côtes-du-Rhône ?

- B wine of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of thirteen varietals: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Muscardin, Counoise, Vaccarese, Picpoul, Terret Black, Clairette, Bourboulenc Roussane Picardon. Composition is the secret of the winemaker.

- B local and a unique situation: the basement of the large clay hill (320 hectares) is covered with large pebbles from the Rhone, they managed to retain the heat and sun during the day broadcast overnight in the soil.

- A tradition of excellence established by the winemakers of Chateauneuf precursors was established even before the AOC (1935). The pruduction must not exceed 35hl per hectare, the sorting of grapes is required before the harvest is done by hand.

The annual production is 13 million bottles, the vast majority of red wine and a little white wine (about 3%).

See our List of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine estates (fr)

The taste of red wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is uncomparable: powerful, strong and generous, but still very balanced and deep in the mouth. It is a wine of character that aging exceptionally well.

Véraison Day in Chateauneuf-du-Pape

This is the hottest period of summer, the first week-en of august, when Chateauneuf celebrates its Wine Festival during Véraison Day. The Véraison starts a few weeks before harvest when the grapes begin to ripen: it is colored and throat juice. Once harvested the precious nectar, it will soon be transformed into wine to finish on your table.

This crucial moment for quality of wine is now the opportunity to celebrate the Chateauneuf-du-pape wine. Of course, the wine of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is flowing, the growers, producers and merchants to offer visitors to enjoy their precious beverage, is a unique opportunity to taste, compare and taste the different wines.

The Véraison Day associates Wine and Middle-age the village streets are plowed processions and parades of medieval soldiers. A medieval market settles, and even a medieval ball is given up to the Renaissance square.

Châteauneuf-du-pape in photos : slider

Information and accommodation near Châteauneuf-du-pape

Find a Bed and breakfast in Châteauneuf du pape and nearby on the portal of the B&B in Provence

Tourist office website : chateauneuf-du-pape-tourisme.fr

Sights and activities :

• Wine Festival, Véraison Day the first weekend of August
• Feast of St. Marc (Feast of winemakers) to April
• Wine Museum
• Museum of winemakers tools
• Weekly Market: Friday morning

Coming to Châteauneuf du Pape

GPS coordinates N 43°49'24'' - E 5° 18'29''

Châteauneuf-du-pape location : altitude 75 metres, 2100 inhabitants, 10 km from Orange, 12 km from Avignon, , 14 km de Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres, 20 km from Tavel, 26 km from Vacqueyras, 27 km from Gigondas