Chateauneuf-du-Pape

On our last tour with the Tanvan in '98 we drove right through the Neuf du Pape without even blinking an eye, so we were well keen to repent our sins this time around, and stop in to pay our respects.

Chateauneuf du Pape was built in the 14th century as the summer residence of the pope. It also happens to be the home of one of the most powerful and celebrated wines not only of the Rhône, but of the whole of France. All we can say is that the pope obviously must have had very good tase in sacriment wine!

Remains of the "Pope's New Palace"

Eric lounging in the bay window

View from the palace with the Rhône in the distance

The town itself is very pretty, very Provencale, with honey coloured buildings roofed with red tiles. It reclines against a hill in the sultry shadow of the popes's palace, standing proud and strong - even in it's ruin - casting an eye out across the vines towards the Rhône as it snakes by. The streets are, of course, lined with cellars inviting you downstairs and inside for taste of the papal juice. Very hard to resist.

Chateauneuf-du-Papes with the Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the background

The wine itself is a melange of 13 different grape varieties, (of which the two of us could only name 4), and is rich and luscious and very expensive. So we were very ready to take up the generous offer of a tasting as we browsed the shelves of a particularly inviting cellar. The cellaress was more than obliging, particularly after inquiring upon our country of origin - la Nouvelle Zelande, oh la la!

Eric with a new friend