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
Apple Valley #3 - 157th St W
Apple Valley
952-953-2555
Haskell's - Bloomington
Bloomington
952-893-5440
Cheers - Bloomington
Bloomington
952-941-0998
Total Wine & More - Bloomington
Bloomington
952-835-6063
Total Wine & More - Burnsville
Burnsville
952-835-6063
Total Wine & More - Chanhassen
Chanhassen
952-934-6484
Top Ten Liquors - Chanhassen
Chanhassen
651-341-2142
Dennis Brothers Liquor
Cottage Grove
651-458-8932
Top Ten Liquors - Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove
651-458-9463
Victual
Crosby
218-545-1000
Mt Royal Bottle Shoppe
Duluth
218-728-6168
Total Wine & More - Eagan
Eagan
651-452-0499
Eden Prairie #2
Eden Prairie
952-914-0032
Eden Prairie #1
Eden Prairie
952-949-8423
Eden Prairie #3
Eden Prairie
952-934-0067
Grand Marais Municipal
Grand Marais
218-387-1630
Total Wine & More - Maple Grove
Maple Grove
763-488-3300
Heritage Liquor
Maplewood
651-777-7455
Mcdonald Liquor Store
Minneapolis
612-721-6686
South Lyndale Liquor
Minneapolis
612-827-5811
Lake Wine & Cheese
Minneapolis
612-242-0073
Bottle House Wine & Spirits
Minneapolis
612-339-5221
Ken And Norm's Liquors
Minneapolis
612-822-0030
Zipp's
Minneapolis
612-333-8686
Total Wine & More - Minnetonka
Minnetonka
952-545-2754
Mgm - Minnetonka
Minnetonka
952-470-2062
Northfield Liquors
Northfield
507-645-5153
Liquor Time
Oak Park Heights
651-439-4404
Top Ten Liquors - Osseo
Osseo
763-425-4680
Haskell's - Plymouth
Plymouth
763-553-9198
Vinifera Wines & Ales
Plymouth
763-473-0008
Merwin Liquors - Plymouth
Plymouth
Top Ten Liquors - Ramsey
Ramsey
763-427-7131
Richfield # 2 - Cedar
Richfield
612-861-9370
Richfield # 3 - Penn
Richfield
612-861-9380
Total Wine & More - Roseville
Roseville
301-795-1000
Mgm - Roseville
Roseville
651-488-6685
Top Ten Liquors - Roseville
Roseville
651-340-1846
Liquor Boy
Saint Louis Park
952-512-2200
Lunds & Byerlys - St Louis Park
Saint Louis Park
952-929-2100
Top Ten Liquors - Slp
Saint Louis Park
952-920-0750
First Grand Liquors
Saint Paul
651-227-7039
Rite Liquor Store
Saint Paul
651-414-0346
Scott's Liquor
Saint Paul
651-690-4434
Toasted Wine+spirits+ales
Saint Paul
651-246-8054
Thomas Liquor
Saint Paul
651-699-1860
Marshall Liquors
Saint Paul
651-642-1891
Wayzata Wines & Spirits
Wayzata
952-473-7191
Jerry's Wine & Spirits
Woodbury
651-414-4870
Haskell's - Woodbury
Woodbury
651-714-4188
Top Ten Liquors - Woodbury
Woodbury
651-501-1199
Total Wine & More - Woodbury
Woodbury
301-795-1000
