It
has been forever marked by the violence of the Rhône river when
ages ago it came through the valley in a torrent , carrying rolled limestone
rocks from the Alps and dropping them along its path..
Those stones or "galets" are a key to the high maturity of
the Châteauneuf du Pape grapes: they absorb the sun’s heat
during the day and reflect it back onto the grapes at night.
The microclimate of Provence also plays an important role: minimal rainfall,
and in particular, the fierce Mistral wind from the North East which dries
and concentrates the grapes.
Strict regulations in the production and winemaking process are imposed
for the appellation "Chateauneuf du pape"
The 13 (thirteen) grapes varieties are : Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault,
Muscardin, Cournoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Roussanne, Terret Noir,
Picardan, Vaccarese
The Yield : maximum yield per hectare: 35 hectolitres authorized (the best wineries
will produce only 20 to 25).
The pruning style : for the Syrah, Guyot pruning; for other grape varieties Gobelet
or Evantail (a flattened Gobelet, shaped like a fan) which leaves two buds on
each spur with a maximum of 15 buds on each vine simulating the plant to produce
grapes of quality (not quantity).
