The 2021 Spring Frost in Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The appellation’s harvest and Domaine Grand Veneur’s old vines

The Jaume family in the Southern Rhône

Châteauneuf-du-Pape lies on the left bank of the Rhône in southern France. According to the estate, Mathieu Jaume began growing grapes there in 1826. Alain and Odile Jaume founded Domaine Grand Veneur in 1979.

The Jaume family continues to work vineyards in the area. Ecocert lists Alain Jaume at Domaine Grand Veneur under its European organic agriculture certification.

Rounded stones and vineyard soils

Some vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape are covered with rounded stones known as galets roulés, carried here by the Rhône. The appellation also includes vineyards on limestone and sandy soils.

The INAO notes that the stones release at night the heat they absorb during the day. The appellation’s growers’ association describes red clay as a common subsoil in these stony sites.

The spring frost of 2021

Frost reached the edges of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards on the night of 7–8 April 2021. The growers’ association reports uneven effects across parcels and notes that cool summer nights helped delay ripening. It recorded a harvest of 85,800 hectolitres in 2021, down from 100,100 in 2020.

Domaine Grand Veneur sources Vieilles Vignes from its oldest parcels in the north of the appellation. The estate describes these vines as deep-rooted and notes that the grapes are picked by hand and sorted bunch by bunch.

The producer’s technical sheet for the 2021 Vieilles Vignes lists Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah. It records 16 months of ageing in concrete tanks and French oak barrels.

From appellation and parcel records

The appellation’s report describes how the season varied across the region. The estate’s technical sheet records the parcels selected for Vieilles Vignes and how the wine was made.

The records of the 2021 harvest and the estate’s account of its old vines show two sides of the same vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. (Mr. Bacchus)

This article explores the winemaking and vineyard setting of Domaine Grand Veneur. It is intended for readers aged 20 and over and does not promote alcoholic beverages or encourage their consumption. Please drink responsibly.

Related Product(s)

Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes Bio 2021 / Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Miocène Bio 2021 / Côtes du Rhône Rouge Bio 2023 / Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2022

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