Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an AOC for wine made near the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône wine region

Most wines produced are red, with many grape varieties allowed although Grenache Noir is the most common. Others are Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Terret Noir, Muscardin and Vaccarèse. Whites are produced from Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, Picpoul, Picardan and Bourboulenc.

This is the most highly regarded wine region of the Southern Rhône Valley. Vineyards are located around Châteauneuf-du-Pape and in the neighboring villages Bédarrides, Courthézon and Sorgues - between Avignon and Orange. The red wines are known for their full body, wonderful aroma and their long aging potential.

History

Châteauneuf-du-Pape roughly translates to "New House of the Pope" and, indeed, the history of this famed appellation is firmly entwined with papal history. In 1308, Pope Clement V, former Archbishop of Bordeaux, relocated the papacy to the town of Avignon. Clement V and subsequent "Avignon Popes" were said to be great lovers of Burgundy wines and did much to promote it during the 70 year duration of the Avignon Papacy. At the time, winegrowing around the town of Avignon was anything but illustrious. While the Avignon Papacy did much to advance the notoriety of Burgundy wines, they were also promoting viticulture of the surrounding area, more specifically the area 5-10 km north of Avignon close to the banks of the Rhone River. Prior to the Avignon Papacy, viticulture of that area had been initiated and maintained by the Bishops of Avignon, largely for local consumption.

Clement V was succeeded by John XXII who, as well as Burgundy wine, regularly drank the wines from the vineyards to the north and did much to improve viticultural practices there. Under John XXII, the wines of this are came to be known as "Vin du Pape", this term later to become Châteauneuf-du-Pape. John XXII is also responsible for erecting the famous castle which stands as an icon for the now prestigious appellation.

This article is licenced under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC".