We get asked a lot for Chateauneuf-du-Pape and so we have made every effort to ensure we stock a good one. Which we do.

However, this same insistent demand has, over time, increased the market prices charged and lowered the quality offered by some producers. Also, a lot of the decent stuff gets drunk MUCH too early before it is anywhere near ready. 

It's one of the hardest wines to buy well at a reasonable price.

So, what is Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

Well its a Village, a geographical location within the Rhone Valley of France and when it comes to its wines this moniker has come to represent quality and premiumness.

But there are other villages. Villages more than able to allow the cultivation of vines that can deliver the highest quality of fruit which, when manipulated by experts can make wines as good if not better and at a lower price due to lack of Village fame.

One such is Cairanne, a Village half an hour away North East which, like its neighbour is permitted to use the Village name on the label, hence wines produced here correctly are called "Cairanne".

This wine from the excellent Domaine de la Présidente however, has a further descriptor in the shape of "Vieilles Vignes" or Old Vines. This means the plants have lived for more growing seasons during which they have dug for nutrients. 

Old Vines = smaller yields but higher quality.

Enjoy Chateauneuf? Drink this; it's as good as our Chateauneuf (QV) but a lot cheaper and absolute light years away from supermarket offerings at this price.