Chateauneuf du Pape

The rolling vineyards, Cinderella's castles, hundred year old vines, old men tending to their most precious possession...we are in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

What we tasted and recommend:
-Château La Nerthe "rouge" 2005
-Mont Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape "blanc" 2007
-Château La Gardine "Generations" 2005

Fun Facts:
-Chateauneuf-du-Pape means "new castle of the pope" and refers to the 14th century when the pope resided in the walled city of Avignon, just south of these vineyards.
-There are thirteen grape varieties (fourteen if you count the Grenache Blanc) permitted to be used in Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines. Chateau Beaucastel is the only producer to grow and make a wine from all.
-Many of the vineyards in Chateauneuf are rock beds with no visible soil.
-More than 90 percent of Chateauneuf-du-Pape is red, about 7 percent white and the rest...
-In 1954, the vitners of Chateauneuf mandated the following law about UFO's:
Article 1. The flying overhead, landing and taking off of aeronautical machines called "flying saucers" or "flying cigars," of whatever nationality they may be, is strictly forbidden on the territory of the commune of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Article 2. Any aeronautical machine-"flying saucer" or "flying cigar"-that lands on the territory of the commune will be immediately taken off to the jail.