La Vieille Ferme Sparkling Rose
Chateauneuf du Pape translates to “new house of the Pope”, so named in honor of the 70 years of exile the Papacy spent outside of Rome beginning in 1308. Relocating to the town of Avignon in the southern Rhone Valley of France, Pope Clement V needed something tasty to drink (he was by birth a Bordeaux guy), and thus a new commitment to quality was born in the area. Located just north of Avignon, the Chateauneuf du Pape region represents the pinnacle of the blended red traditions of the southern Rhone. I mean pinnacle not only in terms of quality, but also in number of grapes allowed in the traditional blend. Thirteen, and not even all red ones mind you. Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvedre to be sure tilt the scales most heavily, but don’t forget Cinsault, Cunoise, Muscardin, Terret Noir, Vaccarese, and Picpoul Noir, plus Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Rousanne, Picardan, Clairette, and Bourboulenc (for those of you counting to fifteen at home, the red skinned and white skinned versions of Grenache and Picpoul only count as one variety each). You would hope that wines made from that much blending material would offer loads of complexity, and the best examples of Chateauneuf du Pape offer exactly that. Widely regarded as being full bodied and alcoholic, Chateauneuf du Pape actually comes in a wide variety of styles depending on the producer and the vintage. The best producers balance rich, ripe red fruit and gamey qualities with crisp acidity and fine tannins to make wines that offer great enjoyment both in the near and longer term.Chateauneuf du Pape translates to “new house of the Pope”, so named in honor of the 70 years of exile the Papacy spent outside of Rome beginning in 1308. Relocating to the town of Avignon in the southern Rhone Valley of France, Pope Clement V needed something tasty to drink (he was by birth a Bordeaux guy), and thus a new commitment to quality was born in the area. Located just north of Avignon, the Chateauneuf du Pape region represents the pinnacle of the blended red traditions of the southern Rhone. I mean pinnacle not only in terms of quality, but also in number of grapes allowed in the traditional blend. Thirteen, and not even all red ones mind you. Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvedre to be sure tilt the scales most heavily, but don’t forget Cinsault, Cunoise, Muscardin, Terret Noir, Vaccarese, and Picpoul Noir, plus Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Rousanne, Picardan, Clairette, and Bourboulenc (for those of you counting to fifteen at home, the red skinned and white skinned versions of Grenache and Picpoul only count as one variety each). You would hope that wines made from that much blending material would offer loads of complexity, and the best examples of Chateauneuf du Pape offer exactly that. Widely regarded as being full bodied and alcoholic, Chateauneuf du Pape actually comes in a wide variety of styles depending on the producer and the vintage. The best producers balance rich, ripe red fruit and gamey qualities with crisp acidity and fine tannins to make wines that offer great enjoyment both in the near and longer term.
Food Pairings
Steaks, pasta with meat sauces, sausages the spicier the better. Barbecued ribs or chicken. Burgers and brats.
Where to find this wine
Accounts that have purchased this wine in the previous twelve months are listed below, alphabetically by city. Please call ahead to confirm availability or vintage
Top Ten Liquors - Andover
Andover
763-755-7775
Victual
Crosby
218-545-1000
Eden Prairie #1
Eden Prairie
952-949-8423
Eden Prairie #2
Eden Prairie
952-914-0032
Elevated Beer Wine & Spirits - Mpls
Minneapolis
612-384-2980
Top Ten Liquors - Minneapolis
Minneapolis
Mcdonald Liquor Store
Minneapolis
612-721-6686
Ken And Norm's Liquors
Minneapolis
612-822-0030
Lunds & Byerlys - Minnetonka
Minnetonka
952-541-1414
Northfield Liquors
Northfield
507-645-5153
Top Ten Liquors - Osseo
Osseo
763-425-4680
Haskell's - Plymouth
Plymouth
763-553-9198
Richfield # 2 - Cedar
Richfield
612-861-9370
Andy's Liquor
Rochester
507-289-0777
Top Ten Liquors - Roseville
Roseville
651-340-1846
Top Ten Liquors - Slp
Saint Louis Park
952-920-0750
Marshall Liquors
Saint Paul
651-642-1891
First Grand Liquors
Saint Paul
651-227-7039
Rite Liquor Store
Saint Paul
651-414-0346
International Wines & Liquors
Saint Paul
651-690-5471
Jerry's Wine & Spirits
Woodbury
651-414-4870