Châteauneuf-du-Pape - The Pope's Wine

Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Southern Rhone) is one of my favorite wines. Over the last weekends, I researched about

- Châteauneuf-du-Pape's history (why the wines from here can use the pope's crown with the keys of St. Peter)
- Geographical location(terroir)
- The weather(Mediterranean climate - dry hot summer) that affects specific grape - Grenache.

From 1309 to 1376, the 7 popes resided in Avignon(Not far from Châteauneuf-du-Pape) due to the conflict between the French crown and the papacy. In this period, those popes encouraged to cultivate fine wines like the Bourgogne wine. Including popes, there were many priests who enjoyed wines at that time and Châteauneuf-du-Pape's wineries were expanded.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is located very close to the Rhone river. There are tons of old Limestone, pebbles, gravel in the vineyard. Stones were hot in a day with a strong Mediterranean's sunlight and keep the heat to help grow up vines at night. The strong wind, Mistral, also helps to make rich vines by drying moisture that causes molds that interrupts wine's aroma.

There might be misinformation here and there as I'm not a wine expert, but just want to share what I read and learn with you guys :) (Feel free to comment if there's something I should fix)

I can't wait to get another bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape this weekend.