Definition: calcernier

Châteauneuf-Calcernier:
In December 1213, Bertrand and Guillaume de Laudun paid homage to the Bishop of Avignon for all they owned in Lers and Châteauneuf Calcernier. The term Calcernier can be explained by the presence of lime kilns, which we find throughout the centuries. Castrum Novum Calcernarium means "Châteauneuf of sifted lime", which not only indicates the importance of lime for the village's economy, but also highlights the quality of this lime. In this era of extensive construction, lime was an essential material that the village had to produce and sell in large quantities. Châteauneuf must have been renowned for its lime, which earned it the name Châteauneuf Calcernier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape:
By building the castle in the 14th century, John XXII forever linked the history of our village to that of the popes of Avignon. However, the name Châteauneuf-du-Pape did not officially replace that of Châteauneuf Calcernier until 1893.
Some people thought that Châteauneuf-du-Pape had been renamed during the Revolution. It is true that our village became "Châteauneuf d'Avignon" from 1 May 1790 to September 1793, when the commune was attached to the district of Orange. This name change was requested by the municipality, more to show its attachment to the city of Avignon in its struggle against Carpentras than for anti-religious reasons. Before the Revolution, the village was almost never officially referred to as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, even by the archbishop. It should be noted that some maps from the late 16th century refer to "Châteauneuf du Pape", as the village must have been known by this name for a long time. In the 18th century, most documents refer to "Châteauneuf Calcernier dit de Pape" and the wine began to be sold and appreciated both in France and abroad under the name "vin des papes" (wine of the popes).
In the last century, the reputation of Châteauneuf wines continued to spread under the name "Châteauneuf du Pape". Taking this economic and commercial reality into account, the mayor, Joseph Ducos, and his municipal council requested that the name Châteauneuf Calcernier, which had been in use for 680 years, be replaced. On 3 April 1893, the commune officially took the name Châteauneuf-du-Pape, under which the village and its wines would acquire worldwide renown.