I googled popes and wine and found many articles on the topic. So, I thought I would share what I learned with you.
Popes tend to like wine
Introducing Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape means “Pope’s new castle.” According to Tablas Creek, a wonderful winery in Paso Robles, CA that makes a lot of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, the name came up during the popes’ residence in Avignon in the 14th century. “In the 14th century, just before the Great Schism the newly elected Pope was a Frenchman from Bordeaux by the name of Clément V… Pope Clément chose to not move to Rome for security reasons. Instead he brought the Papal court to the walled city of Avignon [in the Rhone Valley], at the time a property of the Roman Church. Clément V, it is also said, was an avid wine drinker who preferred to stay close to his estate which he personally managed.”
What Popes Think About Wine
Catholic.com tells us that Thomas Aquinas suggested “that wine was chosen for the Eucharist not despite its alcoholic content but in part because of it. Aquinas reasons that just as bread is good for the body…, wine is good for the soul insofar as it ‘cheers the heart of man’.
Pope Benedict (1977–1993) enjoyed wine, particularly sweeter varieties like passito and picolit. He also appreciated wines from Friuli and Tuscany, and even had a special “papal wine” produced in his honor in Germany.
John Paul (1993–2013) loved the Eucharist probably more than any other pope and, as a result, talke about bread and wine quite a bit.
The Catholic Thing tells us that Pope Francis (2013–12025) said wine “is a gift from God” and “a true source of joy” for its consumers – words that were embraced by Italian wine producers who have fought against European health warnings. Francis made the comments during a private audience at the Vatican with winemakers from across Italy.
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