Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s Rising Star and its Exceptional Heritage
DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR, known as the top estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, has established a reputation for excellence, especially since the late 1990s, when it received high praise in the wine journals. Its flagship, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes (V.V.), is renowned as a rare and outstanding wine representing the region.
The history of DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR dates back to 1826 when the Jaume family began viticulture. The current owner, Alain Jaume, took over in 1979 and began vinification and bottling. They paid close attention to viticulture, and emerged with a variety of innovations. In THE WORLD’S GREATEST WINE ESTATES, published in 2006, Robert Parker acclaimed it as “the future star of Châteauneuf” and it was awarded 100/100 points in the 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape V.V. In addition, in 2018, the 2016 vintage was given a new 100/100 score signed by Jeb Dunnuck, making it even more popular. In the September 2000 issue of Wine Life, a wine magazine, Châteauneuf-du-Pape was the theme, and GRAND VENEUR’s Les Origines won #1 overall. At the time, it was still unknown, but its popularity grew rapidly since then.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape V.V., whose first vintage was 2006, is made from very old vines, 50 to 100 years old, and is composed of 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah. Production is low and often sells out immediately locally. The vineyard is located next to famous producer Chateau de Beaucastel.
GRAND VENEUR values its unique terroir and precious ancestral heritage, and its fundamental approach to viticulture is to respect the health and maturity of the soil, the vines, and the grapes. They believe that great wines are made from healthy grapes and express the character and complexity of the terroir.
Both GRAND VENEUR and CLOS DE SIXTE vineyards are grown according to certified organic (Ecocert) methods. The soil is lightly cultivated, fertilized with vegetable compost, green harvested to keep yields low, and leaves are hand thinned to improve air circulation. The grapes are harvested by hand and sorted by bunch, and only light fining is allowed after fermentation. Natural sedimentation appears as a result of this, which is a proof of the wine’s richness and dynamism.
The wine’s aging potential is important, and Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge also benefit from aging. The single vineyard “Les Origines” and “Vieilles Vignes” in particularly can be aged up to 30-40 years. The entry-level DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR Côtes du Rhône is also a remarkable value for money wine in this price range. They also own Condrieu, the Rhone’s finest and rarest white wine.
DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR will certainly continue to offer high quality and popular wines in the future. Wine lovers in Thailand are welcomed to enjoy the first arrival of GRAND VENEUR wines. (Mr.Bacchus)
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