Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Wine village in Vaucluse, France
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a small commune in Vaucluse that sits clustered around a hill topped by the remains of an old fortress overlooking the broad Comtat plain. Vineyards filled with large rounded pebbles cover the surrounding slopes and stretch up to the houses of the village center.
Pope John XXII built a summer residence in the 14th century and encouraged the planting of grapevines on the stony ground surrounding the site. The fortress was later damaged during the Wars of Religion and only a section of wall with a tall tower remains standing today.
The name references the medieval papal residence and today is recognized worldwide as a designation for red wines grown on the surrounding slopes. Visitors can see how deeply the settlement is tied to winemaking through the many cellars and tasting rooms along its narrow lanes.
A walk through the lanes leads to several wine cellars near the village square where tastings are often available without advance booking. The climb to the castle ruins is short but the path can be hot and rocky in summer.
Thirteen different grape varieties are permitted under the strict appellation rules, allowing a wide range of wine styles to be produced. The large rounded pebbles in the vineyards store heat during the day and release it to the vines at night.
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