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The Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine

Wines that are rich in aromas

The vineyards of this wine appellation are cultivated on an area of 3200 hectares at about 120 meters of altitude. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is located on the left bank of the Rhône between the AOC* of Vacqueyras, Lirac and Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages. The soil is mainly composed of red clay and rolled pebbles, it allows the wines to have a good ageing potential all the while being rich in aromas.

*Protected designation of origin

The rolled pebbles

A climate of mediterranean influence

The terroir and in particular the pebbles allows the vineyards to take in the heat of the day. Indeed, it is one of the hottest areas of the region under a climate of mediterranean influence

For this reason, the vineyards are head-pruned to protect them from the drought and protect them from the strong Mistral wind. It is from being sun-filled and not water-filled that the wines become very powerful and aromatic.

The « wine of the Pope »

Promoted by the popes of Avignon

During the gallo-roman time, the vineyard was already probably covering the territory of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The first written evidence of its existence date from 1157. In keeping with the local tradition, planting and managing himself his exploitation, Geoffroy, Avignon's bishop, owned a vineyard located in his fiefdom of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. But it was the popes, who from the XIVth century were the real promoters of the wine activity of the place.

In 1314, Clément V, the first Avignon pope, discover the richness of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's terroir. His successor, Jean XXII gave it its prestige : it is during his reign that the vineyard expand his reputation beyond the county borders.

He had a powerful fortress built on the heights of the village which, over the years, become the summer residence of the popes who will succeed each others in the town of Avignon. Most of all, he grants to the precious nectar the desirable status of "Wine of the Pope", it then makes its way to the renowned table of the Palais des Papes in Avignon. Each year, the renewed orders reach as much as three thousand litres. During the festivities that are held there, it is served to ambassadors and others representatives of foreign royal courts who fall under its spell and who, once back to their land, are promoting it. Quickly, it is shipped in barrels to Italy, Germany and United Kingdom.

« A royal, imperial and pontifical wine »

Praised by provençal félibres*

If the rise of the vineyard is slowing down in the XVIthcentury during religious wars, its increasing again in the XVIIIthcentury and the exploitations are expanding. By doing so, the wine trade is developing considerably. Already, at this period, the wine producers of this cru have a pioneering spirit. From 1776, The Castle La Nerthe ship its wines in bottles, À partir de 1776 le Château La Nerthe expédie ses vins en bouteilles, giving up little by little the barrel. A first that, once more, impact the renown of the wines.

Recognised for their superior quality by a decree issued in 1793, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines cannot be negociated at more than 30% above the maximum priced that was set up by the departmental authorities.
At the beginning of the XIXthcentury, it is more than two thousand hectolitres that are sold outside the department and the quantities increase regularly. Frédéric Mistral, who discovered those wines at his friend Anselme Mathieu, félibre and winemaker, native of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and treat his parisian friends : Alphonse Lamartine, Alexandre Dumas, Alphonse Daudet… They then become the ambassadors of this « royal, imperial and pontifical wine » as the most famous of the provençal félibres likes to call it.

*A member of a literary fellowship founded in 1854 to promote the literature and culture of Provence in France ; also someone who adheres to such ideas, a traditional Provençal poet.

First aoc wine of France

Supported by the « Syndicate of winegrowing-proprietors of Châteauneuf-du-Pape »

Eager to defend the growing renown of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, the winemakers of this cru are going to be at the origin of the actual AOC system. vont être à l’origine du système actuel de l’AOC. Considering that the 1919 law on the designation of origin is too general - it only delimit the appelation areas - they decide that it is more than time to set up a stronger regulation in order to protect their wines.

Also, in 1923, they went as a delegation to Château Fortia, owned by the Baron Le Roy de Boiseaumarié, winemaker and layer by training, to help them in this task. Briskly, he answer them : « I agree, but on one condition, is that you give an example of honesty and discipline. »
On the 4th october 1923, the constituent general assembly of the « Syndicate of winegrowing-proprietors of Châteauneuf-du-Pape » takes place and the chairman is Baron Le Roy. Under his leadership, the winemakers are subjecting themselves to completely new production rules : regulation of cultivation methods, setting up a minimum degree of alcohol (12,5°), a limited list of authorised grape varities, a compulsory sorting of the grape harverst…

They will soon set an example for the other french wine-growing regions. Their work is crowded with sucess on the 21 november 1933 : The Cour of cassation confirm the delimitation of the area and the conditions for the production of the appellation. Except for a few changes, they are still in force to protect and warranty the quality of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape's wines.
On the 15th may 1936, the appellation decree is published and Châteauneuf-du-Pape become the first First AOC wine of France

The vineyard now covers 3.200 hectares over the municipalities of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Bédarrides, Courthézon, Orange and Sorgues.

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