Day 18: Rest Day in Chateauneuf du Pape - Our Very First Big Adventure: From the Channel to the Med - CycleBlaze

September 18, 2022

Day 18: Rest Day in Chateauneuf du Pape

Sleeping in a bit felt like a luxury. Breakfast was a bit of bakery fresh hot bread, croissants, homemade jams, yogurt and cured ham.  Our host gave us her recommendations for wine tasting and activities. 

We spent the morning getting the laundry done and tuning up the tandem (changed some brake pads).  Then we set off to explore the small village.  But first we had a quick visit to the cave under our chambre d’hôtes. 

Daniele’s cave
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She picked a bottle for us
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Meet Daniele, the host of the Wine B&B
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Our first order of business was to visit Chateau des Papes - it’s not so new (neuf) anymore. 

Chateau des Papes
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The ruins of the chateau
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Must’ve been really pretty at one time
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During WWII it was used by the Germans as an armory. When they left they blew it up. This is all that remains today. 

That is Mont Ventoux in the distance
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Weather permitting, that’ll be Tuesday’s project. 

Rhône Valley view from the chateau
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A plaque we saw on a building wall thanking the Americans
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First taste
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A mix of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. 

Third taste
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A mix of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah. 

4-6 tastes
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We tried the 2021 blanc, then the 2016 rouge, and then the 2020 rouge (€66).  All three were fantastic although the 2020 red needs to lay down for a few years. 

Good thing we’re riding our bike and can’t carry any bottles with us!!  But we can order …

Enjoying our bottle at the end of the day in the garden.
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