Download the full Languedoc-Roussillon Wine Guide here.
Climate & Geography
Côtes du Rhône has a warm sunny Mediterranean climate, which the heat-loving grape variety Grenache absolutely loves! The Mistral, French for Master, is a wind that rips through the Southern Rhône like the Roaring Forties does through the Cook Strait. It can cause damage to young grape vines but also has a benevolent side. The wind helps moderate the warm temperatures of the region and wards off any fungus or mildew that would otherwise spoil the grapes.
CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE
13 grapes – including white varieties – are permitted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines due to vineyards originally being planted rustically with everything all in one vineyard vs. separate like you see in NZ. Few people use all 13 varieties
3 Fun Facts
- Herbs de Provençeis a popular blend of marjoram, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and occasionally lavender. It is used in dishes in Southeast France – especially grilled meats. The wines of Côtes du Rhône and Vacqueryas smell subtly of these herbs, which compliments the generous fruit the wines are known for.
- In 1954 Châteauneuf- du-Pape passed a law banning UFOs from flying over, landing, or taking off amongst the grape vines. If any aliens do not comply, they will be taken into custody immediately. It’s unclear how the local police would handle such a situation. Fortunately, it has never come up.
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape literally translates to Castle of the Pope. In the 14th century, the Pope decided to move from Rome to Avignon, a city south of this region. To this day the papal crown and St.Peter’s keys are embossed every bottle to acknowledge this history.
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