Updated:2023/10/21
The Pope’s new castle: Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a famous wine region located between Orange, about four and a half hours south of Paris by TGV, and Avignon, further south. The city’s name, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, literally translates to “The Pope’s New Castle.” It is said that during the 14th century, the Pope had a summer residence here when he was relocated to Avignon. Since then, delicious wine, which the Pope loved to share with people at the castle, has been produced in this region.
As you enter the town, you will see what looks like a chateau on top of a small hill. When I quickly climbed up, all I found was a wall that was left behind. It seems that the castle has collapsed, leaving the walls behind. However, it was a pleasant place with a great view, the Rhône River in the distance, wine fields stretching as far as the eye could see, and the scent of lavender.
What is the terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
I drove into the area this time, and I could see a completely different soil as I got closer to the town. Red round stones called Galets are scattered everywhere, covering the topsoil. The big one is even bigger than a fist. This is the first time I’ve seen stones like this lying around the base of a grapevine. Under the Galets, fine red clay soil spreads out, making the land well-drained. In order to adapt to this type of terroir, grapes grow roots deep underground and suck up mineral-rich underground water, resulting in grapes rich in minerals. In addition, since gravel has excellent heat storage properties, the soil maintains a constant temperature even at night, producing grapes with high ripeness.
On the other hand, there are also fields scattered throughout the area that are mainly made of limestone and sand without Galets, which is said to produce a wide variety of wines in this region.
Grape varieties used for wine
There are 18 grape varieties that can be used to make Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine, the highest number compared to any other region. The most commonly used reds are Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. This region is characterized by the ability to produce a variety of wines, from fresh to highly concentrated wines, depending on the combination.
I will write about some winery visits in the next blog!
