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Gourmet truffle gathering at Chateau de Vaudieu

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Château de Vaudieu celebrates truffles
remejane truffle
vaudieu val de dieu truffle

On February 3, Château de Vaudieu hosted a unique gastronomic experience: a culinary competition featuring truffles, orchestrated by three talented local chefs. In a prestigious setting, guests were treated to an exceptional menu, with each dish sublimating the truffle with carefully selected food & wine pairings.

🍽️ A Refined Menu for an Unforgettable Evening

Entrée: Monkfish tail, leeks and truffle – A delicate marriage between the sweetness of the fish and the aromatic intensity of the truffle.
Plat: Poultry, turnip gratin and truffle – A generous plate where the truffle brings exquisite depth to a dish full of finesse.
Dessert: Truffled vanilla ganache and caramel milk cream – An explosion of indulgence, where the truffle sublimates each bite with subtlety.

🍷 Food & Wine Pairing: Perfect Harmony

Each dish was accompanied by a precise wine pairing, featuring vintages from Château de Vaudieu and Domaine de La Remejane. The wines magnified each flavor, revealing a perfect complementarity between the power of the terroir and the finesse of the dishes.

🏆 A Gourmet Contest, A Unique Experience

Beyond the pleasure of tasting, this event was also a gastronomic competition, with each chef proposing his or her own interpretation of the menu. Guests had the chance to discover, compare and elect the best plate, making the evening a convivial and interactive experience.

An exceptional event, where gastronomy, truffles and fine wines all came together in a warm, refined atmosphere. We look forward to the next edition!

What’s the best Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

There is no single “best” Châteauneuf-du-Pape, as it all depends on the moment of tasting and personal preferences. Some wines are ideal for drinking young, offering bright fruit, while others gain complexity with age, revealing aromas of leather, truffle and spice. What’s more, some wine lovers prefer powerful, tannic wines, while others prefer more elegant, refined cuvées. The choice also depends on food and wine pairings and the occasion. To find the perfect Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it’s essential to explore different styles and vintages to discover the one that suits your tastes.

the secrets of chateauneuf du pape wines

What type of wine is Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wine produced in the southern Rhône Valley. It is available in red and white, although reds account for over 90% of production.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wines are rich, powerful and complex. They are mainly made from Grenache, often accompanied by Syrah, Mourvèdre and other grape varieties. On the palate, they offer red and black fruit aromas, spicy notes and a fine tannic structure, ideal for ageing.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape whites are rarer, distinguished by their freshness, finesse and aromatic richness. They are made from Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette and other grape varieties, offering floral, fruity notes and a beautiful minerality.

Thanks to their unique terroir, these wines are renowned for their intensity, elegance and great ageing potential.

BOTTLE OF CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE

What is the serving temperature for Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines?

Serving temperature plays an essential role in the tasting of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, influencing their aromas and structure. To take full advantage of their qualities, it is important to respect the following recommendations:

1. Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red 🍷

Ideal temperature: 16 to 18°C
🔹 Serving at this temperature reveals the wine’s full aromatic complexity, with notes of black fruit, spices and garrigue.
🔹 Too high a temperature would accentuate the alcohol and mask the wine’s freshness, while too low a temperature would harden the tannins.

2. Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 🍾

Ideal temperature: 10 to 12°C
🔹 At this temperature, the aromas of white flowers, citrus and white-fleshed fruit are fully expressed, while retaining their freshness.
🔹 Serving too cold (below 8°C) risks masking aromatic subtleties and accentuating acidity.

Tips for optimum service

Anticipate serving: If the wine is too hot, place it in the cellar or in a bucket with a little ice for 15-20 minutes. If too cold, allow to cool in the open air.
Use an appropriate glass: a wide red wine glass for reds, and a narrower glass for whites to concentrate aromas.
Don’t over-aerate older vintages: Younger wines can be decanted, but older Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines require a more delicate service to preserve their balance.

By respecting these temperatures, you optimize the expression of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s unique terroir and know-how.

recommended serving temperature for wines

Why is Châteauneuf-du-Pape so expensive?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a prestigious wine whose price is justified by several factors.

  1. An exceptional terroir: The appellation is based on soils rich in rolled pebbles, which provide excellent thermal regulation and enable optimal ripening of the grapes.
  2. Strict specifications: Regulations impose low yields (around 35 hl/ha), guaranteeing aromatic concentration and high wine quality.
  3. Ancestral know-how: Vinification and ageing require time and expertise, which increases production costs.
  4. Prolonged aging: Many Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines require long aging in barrels or vats, followed by bottle ageing before release.
  5. Strong international demand: Its worldwide reputation and exceptional ageing potential are driving up prices, especially for the best vintages and renowned estates.

All these elements explain why Châteauneuf-du-Pape is considered an exceptional wine, justifying its higher price than other Rhône Valley appellations.

VINES CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPES

How many wineries are there in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation counts some 320 producers, including around 180 wineries. These estates are spread over 3,200 hectares of vines, producing an average of 100,000 hectolitres of wine a year, or around 13 million bottles.

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards stretch over five communes: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Bédarrides, Courthézon, Orange and Sorgues. This geographical diversity, combined with a wide variety of terroirs and grape varieties, contributes to the richness and complexity of the appellation’s wines.

The estates vary in size and production, some being small, family-run producers while others are large, world-renowned estates. Each winemaker brings his or her own touch, reflecting the unique character of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroir.

wine estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape

What are the best years for Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

The wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are strongly influenced by the climatic conditions of each vintage. Some years offer ideal conditions for grape ripening, giving birth to exceptional, powerful and well-balanced wines.

1. Exceptional vintages (long ageing, great complexity)

These years are considered perfect for ageing, with wines of great concentration and excellent balance:
2016 – An exceptional vintage, combining power, freshness and balance.
2010 – Great tannic structure and excellent ageing potential.
2005 – Concentration and elegance, perfect for ageing.
1998 – Superb vintage, very structured with aromas of truffles and spices after aging.

2. Very great vintages (excellent, but slightly more affordable)

These years have produced very well-balanced wines , accessible young but capable of ageing well:
2019 – Superb balance between fruit, acidity and tannic structure.
2015 – A sunny year, offering rich, expressive and harmonious wines.
2009 – Powerful, round and generous, very pleasant to drink now.
2001 – Beautiful freshness and great elegance, with excellent ageing potential.

3. Good vintages (more accessible, to be enjoyed earlier)

These vintages are very enjoyable young, although they can also be kept for a few years:
2020 – Fruity, accessible and well-balanced.
2017 – Round and supple, pleasant now.
2012 – Fine and elegant, for drinking or cellaring for a few more years.

4. More difficult vintages

Some years were marked by more complex climatic conditions, but the good winemakers were able to produce fine wines:
⚠️ 2013, 2008, 2002 – Cooler years with lighter, less concentrated wines.

How to choose the right vintage?

The choice of vintage depends on the tasting objective:
🍷 Drink now? Choose more supple vintages such as 2017, 2019 or 2020.
🏆 To keep in the cellar? Opt for years like 2010, 2016 or 2005.

WINE CELLAR

What is the ageing potential of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are renowned for their great ageing potential, thanks to their concentration, tannic structure and aromatic richness. However, aging potential varies according to wine color, vintage and winemaking style.

1. Ageing of Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds 🍷

5 to 15 years for young, fruity, Grenache-dominant wines.
15 to 30 years (or even more) for wines from great vintages and cuvées with a high proportion of Mourvèdre and Syrah, which bring structure and longevity.
🔹 Over time, aromas evolve towards notes of undergrowth, truffles, leather and spices, while retaining great depth.

2. Ageing Châteauneuf-du-Pape whites 🍾

3 to 7 years for fresh, fruity whites, often based on Grenache Blanc and Clairette.
10 to 20 years for more structured, complex cuvées, especially those with a high proportion of Roussanne, which brings a beautiful aromatic evolution with notes of honey and dried fruit.
🔹 Unlike reds, some white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines gain richness and roundness with age, developing aromas of hazelnut, beeswax and sweet spices.

Factors influencing custody

🔸 Vintage: Great years (e.g. 2010, 2016, 2019) offer longer ageing potential.
🔸 Aging: Wines aged in barrels or large casks age better thanks to controlled oxygenation.
🔸 Storage conditions: A cellar at a stable temperature (12-14°C), protected from light and vibrations, favors optimal evolution.

Thanks to their complexity and structure, Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines can offer fascinating tasting experiences at different stages of their evolution.

Which dishes go best with Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, whether red or white, have a rich aroma and powerful structure that make them ideal for a wide range of dishes. Here are some perfect food & wine pairings to take full advantage of their flavors.

1. Goes well with Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds 🍷

The reds are rich, generous and often marked by notes of black fruit, spices, garrigue and leather. They are ideal with :
Grilled or roasted red meats: Rib of beef, duck breast, leg of lamb with herbs.
Game: Wild boar, roe deer or hare in grand veneur sauce.
Simmered dishes: Beef bourguignon, daube provençale, lamb tajine with spices.
Mediterranean cuisine: Ratatouille, lasagne, pan-fried vegetables with thyme and rosemary.
Mature cheeses: Comté vieux, Tomme de Savoie, Parmesan.

2. Goes well with Châteauneuf-du-Pape whites 🍾

The rarer whites are elegant, with notes of white flowers, citrus and white-fleshed fruit. They go perfectly with :
Seafood and shellfish: pan-fried scallops, grilled lobster, oysters.
Noble fish: Roasted sea bass, turbot in beurre blanc sauce, salmon en papillote.
White meats: Free-range chicken with cream sauce, veal with morel mushrooms.
Truffled dishes: Risotto with truffles, truffled egg brouillade.
Fresh or creamy cheeses: Chèvre frais, Brillat-Savarin, Brie de Meaux.

Thanks to their complexity and depth, Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are a perfect match for richly flavored dishes. For optimal tasting, choose a serving temperature suited to each color.

CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE WINE PAIRING