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The Popes New Castle

Southern Rhone Royalty

Chateauneuf Du Pape, Gigondas & Vacqueyras

The Rhone Valley is the region in France with the most user-friendly wines, and, along with Bordeaux, an important source of appellation controlee wine. Cotes Du Rhone is south-east France's warmer, richer, spicier answer to the dry austerity of AC Bordeaux. The wines of the southern Rhone are also France's most alcoholic, with 14-15 percent alcohol, by no means uncommon for its most famous appellation, Chateauneuf Du Pape. Chaptalisation, or adding sugar to increase alcohol levels, is not allowed this far south.

Since the appellation was formed in 1966, 5 of the nearly 20 villages have been granted their own appellations, including Gigondas and Vacqueyras.

Chateauneuf Du Pape (CDP) is the region’s most famous and best wine. All others use it as their model. CDP is the appellation in which 13 different grape varieties are permitted, although the wine is made predominantly with Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.

CDP is firmly entwined with papal history. In 1308, Clement V, former Archbishop of Bordeaux, relocated the papacy to the city of Avignon. Clement V, and subsequent "Avignon Popes", were said to be great lovers of wine, and did much to promote it during the seventy year duration of the Avignon Papacy. Under John XXII, the wines of this area came to be known as "Vin du Pape"; this term later became Chateauneuf Du Pape.

Gigondas is another wine made in the image of CDP. Higher elevation plantings and rocky soil composition give this wine a rustic feel on the palate.

Vacqueyras is located only a few kilometers south of Gigondas, and shares much of the same terroir as Gigondas. Both, again, are made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grapes.

The 2010 harvest is behind us now, and the entire Rhone Valley has had back-to-back outstanding vintages, after a difficult 2008 season. The 2009 and 2010 vintages are exceptional.

Here are a few of my favorites and most definitely southern Rhone royalty.

Paul Jourdan
Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Papale 2009   $39.99
This is lush and velvety, with a gorgeous mouthfeel of layers of plum sauce, raspberry, ganache and black mission fig. The long finish has licorice and black tea notes.
   91 Points, Wine Spectator

Vignerons De Caractere
Gigondas Cuvee Prestige 2010   $19.99
Fleshy and velvety in feel, the wine sports lush blackberry cobbler, licorice and dark cocoa notes through the finish.
   91 Points, Wine Spectator

Vignerons De Caractere
Vacqueryas Cuvee Prestige 2009   $15.99
A blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre. A subtle wine with cherry and black tea notes, a silky texture and a long finish.
   91 Points, Wine Spectator

As always, please let our staff of professionals assist you with all of your entertaining, and wine and food pairing needs

Regards,

Vincent Monaco
Corporate Wine Director