Discover wine with controlled designation of origin (CDO), walk to a castle built by Pope John XXII, visit two beautiful villages of France.
Chateauneuf Pope
Châteauneuf du Pape, located just 12 km north of Avignon, is so renowned for its world-famous wines that it is considered the capital of the Côtes du Rhône.
The city concentrates a dizzying number of experienced, hard-working and, moreover, passionate craftsmen. Oenologists, bakers and pastry chefs are here all the workers and guardians of a tradition of excellence of the highest quality.
It is not surprising that some of the best restaurants in France have settled here.
We will walk through its small streets punctuated with pretty fountains to the ruins of the castle. It is in the belly of this fortress built in the 14th century, and under the leadership of Pope John XXII, that these vineyards which produce 93% of red wine were born.
Even today, they are still cultivated in the tradition of Pope John XXII, and A.O.C. (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) Châteauneuf-du-Pape remains the unmistakable pinnacle of the wine heritage of the southern Rhône valley and of French gastronomic excellence.
You will visit the wine museum in the cellar of Pére Anselme. This extraordinary place houses collections of viticulture and winemaking tools dating back several centuries. In particular a 4,000-liter oak barrel from the 14th century and a 2-meter-high wooden press from the 16th century.
It is then that we will finally tackle our incredible tasting by visiting some famous cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape!
Gigondas
We will continue our journey to discover Gigondas, one of the most beautiful villages in France, famous for its rosé wines served at the court of Philippe le Bel, Louis XIV and the Popes from 1358.
We will have the opportunity to taste an organic wine - classified “Côtes-du-Rhône Village” - in the first vineyard to have obtained the appellation “Crus des Côtes-du-Rhône” in 1971.
Nestled at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, with its round tiles and magnificent old facades with chatty stones, Gigondas radiates pure Provençal authenticity.
Located in the heart of the former principality of Orange, its name comes from the Latin "Jucunditas" which - it was obvious - means "Joy and Joy".
Séguret
We will end our tasting excursion with Séguret.
Village also classified, where we will take advantage of the narrow streets (sloping and paved with stone) to take a walk in the shade of its old stones, in an ethereal atmosphere where time seems to have stood still.
Clinging to the hillside, it offers a unique and magnificent perspective on this landscape of legendary vineyards.
The tour starts at
