Apparently the cardinals voted yesterday. But the smoke that came out from the chimney was black so they had not agreed. They are said to be voting again this morning and if they can agree on who will be the next Pope then the smoke from the conclave should be white.
On the picture they are burning grubbed up vines, the usual way to get rid of old and tired plants in vineyard before replanting.
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Rhone Chateauneuf du Pape Village – stock photo samples – Images by Per Karlsson
Chateauneuf-du-Pape village, Rhône, stock photography samples, by Per Karlsson, BKWine.
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Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a small village in the southern Rhône Valley in France. It is the most famous and well-known appellation in the south of the Rhône wine region. It also played an important role in the 1930s when the whole system of appellation contrôlée was created.
Literally the village name translates into The Pope’s New Palace. In the village there is a ruin of what was once a splendorous palace. It was built as a summer residence for one of the Popes at the time when the popes were based in neighbouring Avignon – in the 1300s.
From an administrative point of view Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in south-eastern France. It has just over 2000 inhabitants.
The village is the centre of the wine appellation. It is on a small hilltop surrounded by vineyards. On the top of the hill you can see the ruined palace and from there you have a fabulous view. On a clear day you can see along the Rhône River to Avignon (20 km away) and the top of the Mont Ventoux, the highest mountain in the region.
Many of the wine producers of Chateauneuf wine have their offices and winemaking facilities in the village itself. Many have also opened a shop to sell wines in the centre of the village. There are several restaurants to choose from. The Au Verger du Pape has to be mentioned, located just next to the ruin with a view over the vineyards.
It is, in short, a place not to miss if you travel to the southern part of the Rhône Valley.
All images © copyright Per Karlsson, BKWine. Images may not be used without our permission.