Chateauneuf-du-Pape producer unveils visitor centre

Ogier has created a visitor centre at its cellars in Châteauneuf-du-Pape to celebrate the brand’s 150th anniversary.

The new attraction is divided into three parts. Visitors will firstly be taken through the “Conservatoire des Terroirs de Châteauneuf-du-Pape”, which is planted with the main grape varieties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the appellation’s four different soil types.  

The second part of the tour involves exploring Ogier’s 300 metres of cellars, which are controlled naturally by artesian wells that date from the Middle Ages.
 
Finally, visitors will move to an exhibition area and tasting room, dedicated to the history of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, including a reading room with books about the regioin.

Two tutored tastings are also available:

• The "Terroirs of Châteaneuf-du-Pape" tasting includes six Ogier wines including four made from grapes grown on each of Châteauneuf’s main terroirs – Eclats Calcaires, Safres, Grès Rouges and Galets Roulés – plus the house’s flagship wine, Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes, white and red.

• The "Art of Ageing" tasting includes four Côtes du Rhône wines that have all been aged differently, plus their Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes.

Patrick Schmitt, 14.04.2011