The Reason Some of us Wanted to Bike in Provence . . .

It's All (or Mostly) About the Wine!

One of the reasons many of us were excited to travel to Provence is the wine produced there. Of course, there are amazing wines produced all over France, but the red wine produced in Provence happens to be my personal favorite of all the wines in the world. During our trip we learned that 93% of the wine produced in Provence is red wine. Some of these well-known red wines include Cotes du Rhone, Gigondas and Chateauneuf du Pape (more on these later). We were somewhat surprised to learn that the white wines of this region are also extremely compelling. 

We began day one of our Backroads Bike trip in the small village of Chateaneuf du Pape. From there we rode north to Uchaux. On day two we biked from Uchaux to Gigondas. This means we were biking through two of my very favorite wine regions in the first two days!

Gigondas vs. Chateauneuf du Pape

We learned a lot about the different wines by trying them, of course. However, I also did a little research after the ride to better understand the differences between my two favorite wines of the region. Here's a description of the differences between these two great wines from Chat GPT that struck me as accurate . . .

Nestled in the southern Rhône Valley, Gigondas is known for producing robust, full-bodied wines. The region's terroir, with its stony soil and Mediterranean climate, imparts distinct qualities to the wines. As I tasted through the selection, I couldn't help but notice the powerful presence of dark fruits, like blackberry and plum, accompanied by hints of spices and earthiness. The tannins were firm yet balanced, offering a velvety mouthfeel. What struck me the most was the approachability of Gigondas wines. They are perfect for wine lovers seeking a rich and flavorful experience without breaking the bank.

On the other hand, Chateauneuf du Pape wines exuded an air of elegance and sophistication. This renowned wine region, just a stone's throw away from Gigondas, showcases a different facet of the Rhône Valley. The vineyards are blessed with a diverse terroir, including galets roulés (round stones), which store heat during the day and release it during the cool nights, creating ideal conditions for grape ripening. As I delved into the wines, I encountered a symphony of flavors. Ripe red fruits danced on my palate, intertwined with delicate floral notes and a subtle hint of herbs. The wines were velvety, with refined tannins that showcased their age-worthiness. Chateauneuf du Pape wines often command a higher price point, but they are worth every penny for those seeking a truly exceptional wine experience.

Toward the end of the trip we got to order a pretty special Gigondas wine at our final group dinner at Le Coquillade Hotel. This winery is called 'Domaine de Bosquet' and the wine we tried is called 'La Colline' and it was out-of-this-world! I'm going to have to find a way to order some of this wine! As the description above states, this wine was full-bodied, approachable and above all . . . velvety!

Our Favorite Gigondas Wine

At that same final dinner, we were lucky enough to be treated to both a white and a red Chateauneuf du Pape by our friend, Ned. Both of these wines were amazing. The winery is called 'Vieux Telegraphe' and the bottle is pictured below: