Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Chateauneuf du Pape translates to 'the Pope's new castle'. The Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC has an intriguing terroir, located 120 meters above sea level on the Comtat Venaissin plain. The appellation allows for the blending of red and white wines, the use from 13 grape varieties.
The best wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Chateauneuf du Pape translates to 'the Pope's new castle'. It represents a 1936 wine appellation from the Southern Rhone region that is recognized as an official Cru of the Cotes du Rhone wine region. Chateauneuf du Pape wine´s primary focus is on Grenache, which grows in about 75% of the region's vineyards. Yet the appellation also allows for the blending of red and white wines made from the 13 grape varieties.
The Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC has an intriguing terroir, located 120 meters above sea level on the Comtat Venaissin plain. Also the appellation is bordered by the Lampoudrière Massif and adjacent to the Rhone River. Over many years, the river deposited different layers of silt and polished alpine rocks, which, depending on the topography, formed the structure of the vineyard. This terroir is distinguished by the presence of hard limestone in clay-rich sandy soils, as well as the distinctive round pebbles that store and emit heat in order to accelerate grape maturation and reduce disease incidence.
Where exactly is the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation located?
Welcome to the southern Rhône! Just 12 kilometres from Avignon, the 3,200 hectares of Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards begin. The prestigious wine-growing area includes a total of five municipalities: Châteauneuf-du-Pape itself, Bédarrides, Courthézon, Orange and Sorgues.
Incidentally, the name Châteauneuf-du-Pape translates as ‘new castle of the Pope’. And for good reason. In 1308, Pope Clement VI moved his summer residence from Rome to Avignon. The Pope, his cardinals and the nobility quickly got to know and love the wines from the region. And so much so that they wanted to enjoy the wines from the region, which was now known as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, all over Europe.
Which grapes are grown in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
First things first: when the name Châteauneuf-du-Pape is mentioned, most people think exclusively of red wine. However, a Châteauneuf-du-Pape can also be a white or even a rosé wine! However, the winemakers mainly produce red Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The white wine varieties make up only a very small part – and the rosés are even rarer. Why is this important? Because in Châteauneuf-du-Pape not only red but also white grape varieties are permitted – 13 in total.
On the red grape side, Grenache is the superstar. It is grown on 70 per cent of the vineyards. Although single-varietal Châteauneuf-du-Papes made entirely from Grenache are now becoming more and more common, cuvées are more common. Grenache is therefore often flanked by Syrah, Mourvèdre or Cinsault. While Grenache gives the wines their characteristic power and fullness, Syrah contributes to the structure and adds spice. Mourvèdre, on the other hand, provides tannins, acidity and animal notes, which makes the wine even more complex. And with a small amount of Cinsault, the wine becomes softer and more accessible. In addition, it is not uncommon to add a small dash of white wine from Roussanne to stabilise the colour and aroma of the red wine.
Climate and soils in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
In general, Châteauneuf-du-Pape has a Mediterranean climate with very hot summer days. However, this climate has a few peculiarities. On the one hand, the vintners in Châteauneuf-du-Pape can look forward to an average of 2,800 hours of sunshine a year. This means that grapes with thick skins, such as Mourvèdre and Grenache, in particular ripen reliably. At the same time, however, the cold and dry mistral wind blows through the appellation for 130 days. In summer, it ensures that the grapes do not scorch in the scorching heat. On rainy days, however, it dries the grapes and thus protects them from vine diseases. It also ensures that even thicker berry skins form, which in turn leads to more aroma and colour in the grapes.
The soil in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is characterised by large white quartzite pebbles, also known as ‘galets roulés’. During the day, they reflect the sun's rays and thus heat up the vineyard even more. At the same time, however, they also absorb the heat and release it again at night. This helps the grapes to develop a very rich and intense fruit. And then they also help to prevent water from evaporating from the soil, so that the vines are not exposed to drought stress even under the hottest summer sun. What lies beneath the pebbles? Either pure pebble soil, sand or clay. And yes, the different soils can affect the taste. Let's take a look at that right now.
Wine producers
What does a wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape taste like?
Generally speaking, a red Châteauneuf-du-Pape is bursting with power and complexity – and has an impressive ageing potential of 10, 15 or more years. That is the common denominator. Otherwise, the red wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape taste very different. This is partly due to the choice of grape varieties. With 13 authorised grapes, winemakers can draw from an abundance of resources. However, only a few actually combine all 13 varieties in a single wine. On the other hand, the three predominant soil types bring different characteristics to light in the plants.
When the vines thrive on the pebbly soils, the wines tend to be very powerful and concentrated, with a very pronounced tannin structure. Sandy soils, on the other hand, produce more elegant and delicate wines with more pronounced fruity notes. If the wine has a very opulent yet precise structure, then the grapes come from vines that are deeply rooted in clay soil. If you now consider that each individual grape variety also brings its own characteristics to a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, you can get an idea of how different the individual growths actually are.
What food goes well with Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines?
A red Châteauneuf-du-Pape goes well with a hearty or intense dish. And that's meant seriously! A beef bourguignon, for example, would be too mild – the wine flavours would completely cover this dish. Grilled beef and lamb, on the other hand, go very well with the red wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with their roasted aromas and strong flavour. A spicy wild boar or venison goulash is also a culinary delight with these intense wines.
If you have a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape by the glass, we recommend grilled poultry with rich sauces. And a Châteauneuf-du-Pape rosé goes well with a well-seasoned fish soup. Would you like more food suggestions to go with Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines? Then get in touch! We will be happy to help you get the most out of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines in our range at Best of Wines
