Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the southern Rhône wine region. Many might be surprised to discover that the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC actually permits thirteen different varieties of grape, but the blend is usually predominantly Grenache. Other red grapes include Cinsault, Counoise, Mourvèdre, Muscardin, Syrah, Terret Noir, and Vaccarèse. White grapes include Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Picardan, Roussanne, and Picpoul. In recent years, the trend has been to include fewer or none of the allowed white varieties and rely heavily upon the Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah.  At one time, Châteauneuf wines were considered rustic and of limited appeal in the U.S., however their appeal and their price has increase more than fourfold in a decade.