In 1931 Châteauneuf-du-Pape became France’s first Controlled Appellation, thus initiating the French national system of Appellations Contrôlées, and rose from obscurity to become one of France’s most recognizable wines.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, located about ten miles north of Avignon, was the papal summer palace during the 70-year Avignon papacy of the 14^th century.

The climate here is Mediterranean and during the summer months the air is filled with scents of yellow flowers, lavender and thyme from adjacent fields, the same floral aromas found in the powerful yet elegant wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Thirteen grape varieties, eight red and five white (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Terret Noir, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Roussane and Picardan)are permitted to be part of the red Châteauneuf-du-Pape, of which the Grenache constitutes the backbone of the Appellation. Only 3% of all Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine is white.  A red Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a Grenache-based blend and could be 100% Grenache or in rare cases (Château de Beaucastel) a blend of all thirteen grapes.

On a recent trip to the Southern Rhône Valley in June 2011, our ABC Wine Team visited the winery of Reserve des Oliviers ; we were greeted by Alexandre Favier, owner and winemaker, who took us on a tour of the estate’s vineyards. His oldest Grenache vines were on the same plateau and just across (not a coincidence) from the old-vine Grenache of Château Cabrières, another favorite producer of the area.

The two cuvees currently available at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, are the “Réserve des Oliviers” and “Réserve des Oliviers Vieilles Vignes”, both in the outstanding 2007 vintage.

The Réserve des Oliviers Old Vines 2007 (92” Wine Spectator) is out of stock at the warehouse but still available at select stores at the bargain price of $47.99.

The Réserve des Oliviers 2007 is priced at $34.99; reserve your bottles today!

Atanas Nechkov, Central Florida Wine Supervisor