Learn About Chateauneuf Du Pape Wine
Chateauneuf Du Pape, a quality wine that is world renowned and comes from the Rhone Valley area of France. Unsurprisingly, the valley gets its name from the Rhone river which runs through it. The Rhone Valley is one of the oldest growing wine regions which we can track back to Roman times. The wine is also very much associated with Papal history, which gives it that added je ne sais quoi. For example, in the year 1308, the pope relocated the Papacy to Avignon, also in the Rhone Valley and viticulture practices were undertaken by popes in this area thereafter. For this reason, the wine became known as Vin Du Pape translated into English as wine of pope, until it finally became known as Chateauneuf Du Pape, the pope's new castle.
Chateauneuf Du Pape comes predominantly from the south of the Rhone Valley, where the soil is more limestone and gravel. The soil is formed by layers of pebbles, which really helps with the retention of heat during the day and the slow release of heat at night, which creates the flavours in the grapes. This type of terrain provides really good drainage for the soil.
The Grapes Used To Make Chateauneuf Du Pape
The wine of
Chateauneuf du Pape can actually be made using up to a maximum of 13 grape varieties, however, the following grape varieties tend to be predominantly used: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedra. These three grape varieties add the structure, colour and flavour into the wine.
Grenache is a grape that creates a hardy wine with tannins and warm cherry flavours.
Syrah adds the peppery taste, as well as a darkness to the colour of the wine.
Mourvedra helps to structure the wine, giving it depth with earthiness and a little more tannin.
Chateauneuf du Pape is normally found as a red wine, however, it can also be white as well. The majority of the wine that is produced though, is red, as most vineyards grow Grenache as their predominant grape variety. The red Chateauneuf Du Pape wines can be described as heavy, jammy and spicy in aroma and flavour. Chateauneuf Du Pape wines are high in alcohol content, normally between 13% and 15% ABV.
Tasting Notes
Chateauneuf Du Pape in general, is a full bodied red, with typical notes of clean wood smoke, dark black fruits, medium acids and tannins.
Food Matching
Because of the good levels of tannin found in the wine, Chateauneuf Du Pape tends to work really well with grilled meats, as well as roasted meats and game.
Chateauneuf Du Pape Gifts
If you are looking to give Chateauneuf Du Pape gifts, then consider
Chateauneuf Du Pape Wine and Gifts. There are plenty to choose from including Chateauneuf Du Pape wine sets, engraved Chateauneuf Du Pape, as well as 75cl bottles and a case of six bottles of Chateauneuf Du Pape 75cl.
Date posted: 10/01/2012
