2022 Moulin de Saints

In my house growing up, my dad bought a bottle of Chateauneuf–du–Pape for every holiday. My parents didn’t drink wine very often, but when the special occasions arrived so did the Chateauneuf–du–Pape. Mom and Dad lived in France for the first two years of their marriage, while he completed his ROTC obligation in Fontainebleau. I was the “surprise” half way through his tour and while I have no memories of that time (they came home when I was ten months old) mom and dad made sure I had a connection to where I was born with lots of pictures and stories of their time there. They even spoke a little French and I grew up hearing “allez” and “tout de suite” often.

When they lived in France they were poor and didn’t have money to spend on good wine. But dad loved his Chateauneuf–du–Pape and so, on the special occasions he bought a bottle for dinner. He made sure everyone – including the children – had sips of his special wine at those great dinners – telling us that French children were already drinking wine – and he would regale us with stories about their time in France.

So, in the tradition of my parents I open a bottle of Chateauneuf–du–Pape for every holiday. The wines I open are much better than the ones he bought! I am privileged to open and share the fabulous wines I have discovered on my trips to the little village that is the center of the Chateauneuf–du–Pape wine region with you.