Where is it from?
Situated near Avignon in southern France, Chateauneuf du Pape is renowned for its spicy, bold and full-bodied reds that are mostly a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. But appellation rules allow 18 varieties, making Chateauneuf a diverse region of many exciting possibilities.
Legend tells that in 1321, under the reign of Pope John XXII, four barrels were bought from the papal cellar to be filled with wine in Chateauneuf. So pleased were the papal congregation with the wine that they planted new vines, and thus many estates in Chateauneuf de Pape were born.
Historically, the prices for top wines of the Rhone Valley, including Chateauneuf, were on par with the Bordeaux first growths and most of the top Burgundy producers. With Burgundy and Bordeaux prices skyrocketing, the price-quality ratio of Rhone wines has become increasingly attractive.