The history of this famous French wine in the southern Rhône is closely linked to the Roman Catholic Church. From 1309 to 1377, the city of Avignon was the seat of seven popes and from 1378 to 1408 of two antipopes. Clement V (1264-1314) was the first pope in exile to be installed here in 1309. One of these was Pope John XXII (1244-1334), who was born in Cahors and chose Châteauneuf Castle as his summer residence. He had the castle converted into a summer residence and gave important impetus to viticulture. He brought in winegrowers from Cahors, who established viticulture here and produced a red wine called "Vin d'Avignon".
This was the predecessor of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but this name only became common in the 19th century. The municipality of Châteauneuf-du-Pape was called Châteauneuf Calcernier until 1893. The emblem of the town of Avignon with two crossed keys (of St Peter) and the Pope's tiara is a reminder of this past. President Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970) was a great lover of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine.
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Thorsten Rahn
Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden