Day trip to Châteauneuf du Pape : Experience Provence

Still jet-lagged from the flight, but hit the ground running! Absolutely magnificent day trip to Châteauneuf du Pape, one of the most well-known wine regions in France. The famous Provence lavender isn’t in full bloom here until June, but there are some early varieties showing off now.

⚡️ The Lightening Strike

Normally, I would be dragging ass after an international flight, but my nerves are still a bit frayed from the freaking lightening strike our plane took on decent into Marseille. I had never had that experience before – don’t need to have it again. There was a bright flash of light, an extremely loud BOOM, and some shaking. The pilot came on the PA system to assure everyone that the plane was absolutely capable of absorbing and handling a lightening strike. What a great time for me to leave my Xanax in my other bag.

🍷 Wine Tasting & Museum

First stop: Maison Brotte for a tasting and a walk through their excellent wine museum. Tasted some spectacular wines, bought the ones they don’t export. Pro tip: Always ask which wines are only available for purchase at the winery, or only in the country you’re visiting. Suitcase room/weight limits are at a premium. Don’t buy wines you can get at home! Of course, you can always ship wines home, but that can be $$$ and a hassle.

Found a poster that I am now coveting for my collection of alcohol related posters. Yes, I have a collection of alcohol related posters.

Walked through the town of Chateauneuf-du-Pape for a bit, and realized mom and I picked out the exact same sunglasses frames. Like mother, like daughter. Had a terrific lunch at Le Comptoir de la Mère Germaine. I mean, would you look at this croque monsieur?

We trekked up to the ruins of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape Castle. Construction started on it in 1317, and various poppies lived there until 1377, when the papacy returned to Rome. It was severely damaged in 1944, and all that’s left today is one section of wall and the high tower. Still worth seeing. We made friends with the castle cat, and walked through some Grenache vineyards that were covered in large round stones, called galets.

🪨 Wine Sidebar: What are Galets?

Galets are large, smooth, stones commonly found in the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (see picture below). It gets awfully warm in Châteauneuf-du-Pape during the summer, but the nights are cool. During the day, galets absorb the sun’s heat, which is then radiated at night, keeping the vines warmer and helping ripen grapes faster and more evenly. Galets also help protect the soil from erosion and prevent weeds.

I liberated a galet for my rock collection. Yep, I have one of those, too.

Santé!