Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wines: Rouge, Blanc and Grenache Blends from the Southern Rhône

What Are the Galets Roulés?

The short answer is stones. Many vineyards here lie under a carpet of galets roulés, large rounded pebbles of quartzite carried down from the Alps by the Rhône long ago.

The stones soak up the heat of the day and release it at night, which helps Grenache ripen fully. Other parts of the appellation lie on sand or limestone, and many estates blend grapes from several soils for balance.

Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre: The Grapes of Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Thirteen grape varieties are allowed, but most red Châteauneuf-du-Pape is led by Grenache, with Syrah for colour and spice and Mourvèdre for structure. Cinsault adds softness, while Counoise can bring freshness and perfume.

Expect raspberry, black cherry and plum, warm spice and the scent of garrigue, the wild herbs of the Provençal hills. With age the wines turn savoury, with notes of leather, truffle and dried fruit.

The blanc is made mostly from Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette and Bourboulenc. It is full and round, with stone fruit, almond and a gently honeyed finish.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine Brands in Our Range

Château de Beaucastel, run by the Perrin family, is famous for using all thirteen grape varieties and an unusually high share of Mourvèdre. Domaine de Beaurenard, home of the Coulon family, farms its vineyards organically and biodynamically.

Clos Saint Jean adds a red and a rare blanc, La Vieille Julienne makes deep, biodynamically farmed reds, and E. Guigal and Maison Bouachon complete our selection.

Serving and Food Pairing

Serve the reds at 16 to 18 degrees and give a young wine an hour in a decanter. They are superb with roast lamb, slow cooked beef, game and mushroom dishes, while the blanc suits roast chicken and richer fish.

What Does Châteauneuf-du-Pape Mean? Your Questions, Answered

What does Châteauneuf-du-Pape mean?

It means the pope's new castle. The village was called Châteauneuf-Calcernier for centuries and only took its present name in 1893, honouring the popes whose castle ruins still stand above the vineyards.

Is Châteauneuf-du-Pape red or white?

Both, but the great majority is red. Only a small share of the appellation is planted for white wine, which makes a good Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc something of a find.

What is the difference between Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône?

They share most of the same grapes, but Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a single, small appellation with stricter rules and lower yields. Côtes du Rhône covers a far larger area, and its wines are usually lighter and made for earlier drinking.

How long can Châteauneuf-du-Pape age?

Good reds can be enjoyed from about two years, and the finest keep improving for decades. The whites are often drunk young, though many age beautifully too.

Why is Châteauneuf-du-Pape expensive?

Yields are strictly limited, to 35 hectolitres per hectare against 51 for Côtes du Rhône, and the appellation is small and famous around the world, so demand runs high.

How do you pronounce Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Say shah toe nuff doo pap. The name breaks into castle, new and pope.

Why Buy Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine at YourWines?

From a generous red for a winter roast to a Beaucastel for the cellar, you can buy Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine online at a fair price, alongside the rest of our French red wine range.

Every wine is chosen by our team, available by the dozen or as a six-pack, and shipping is free Australia wide with a surcharge for WA, TAS and remote areas. For more Grenache led reds, explore our full bodied red wine.