Châteauneuf du Pape
North of Avignon, towards Orange is the picturesque medieval village of Châteauneuf du Pape, home to the very famous wine of the same name. This wine, produced by 300 wine-makers on over 3,000 hectares, using no less than 13 grape varieties, is very much the flagship of the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation and emblem of the village.
Dégustation & Picnic Lots of tasting houses in the main street – just take your pick! Once you’re done with dégustation, get yourself a bottle, some bread and cheese for a picnic and head up to the ruins of the château where you can see for miles over the surrounding countryside.
The weekly market is on Friday in Place de la Renaissance. And various ritual festivals, which accompany the work in the vineyards, take place throughout the year.
About 20km north-east, beyond Carpentras are Gigondas (well-known for its red Grenache wine) and Beaumes-de-Venise (well-known for its dessert wine). If you prefer you can visit Châteauneuf du Pape and the surrounding wine areas as part of a private guided wine tour.
If time allows push a little further north to Vaison-la-Romaine on the banks of the River Ouvéze famous for its ancient Roman ruins and Romanesque cathedrals and cloisters, and equally for its summer music festivals.
Market Days: Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Fri); Beaumes-de-Venise (Tues),
Vaison-la-Romaine (Tues) Calendar: various wine festivals throughout the year: the biggest one is the medieval Fête de la Véraison first weekend in August.
Châteauneuf du Pape tourist info (04 90 83 71 08; www.chateauneuf.com), place du Portail
Vaison-la-Romaine tourist info (04 90 36 02 11; www.vaison-la-romaine.com), place du Chanoine Sautel