Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines exist as red and white wines, with the large majority of the wines produced being red. The blend is based on Grenache grape varieties mainly for red wines, and Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc for white wines. These wines are the pride of the surroundings of the town of Avignon.
These great wines flourish on a terroir of red clay and granite, taking advantage of the high temperatures of the Rhône Valley. Vines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are growing in vineyards that are trimmed to a distinguished bush vine (“gobelet”) shape: a short pruning dividing a vine at the same level into at least three branches of equal size. The goal is to protect the grapes from the often continuous, fierce mistral winds and the sun. 100,000 hectolitres of this precious nectar are produced each year, on a total area of 7,413acres of vineyards. The young red fully-bodied wines have a raspberry-ruby colour, with glints of orange appearing while they reach full maturity. The white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines stand out for their brightness and the intensity of their silky yellow.
The red Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines offer fine fresh fruit and truffle dominant notes on the nose. The scents of “garrigues” ("scrub" or “scrubland” growing in the south of France) and the fragrance of spices are a reminder of this Mediterranean region. The white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are floral and fruity on the nose when young and reveal a beautiful freshness of honey aromas after about five years.
The spicy notes of the red Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are confirmed in the mouth, and are complemented by aromas of red fruits, liquorice, blackcurrant and black cherry. The white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines exhibit a bouquet of dried fruits added to the notes of fresh fruits (apricot), to the spring flowers, with wood aromas that expand with the years. These great red wines pair perfectly with dishes prepared with red meats and game. Buy a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine to complement white meats, poultry, fish, etc. served with sauce