Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. Today I want to explain some things about a wine that I reference often but likely have not recently given an explanation of – and that wine is Chateauneuf-du-Pape, both the name of a place in France and the wine that comes from it. Chateauneuf-du-Pape translated means the pope's new castle. What it has to do with wine is vague and lost in history, but it is fun to know for wine trivia contests. Chateauneuf-du-Pape is an appellation identifying the wines made in and around the city of the same name. It is located in the Rhone region of France and over time the wine has gained a very prestigious reputation. The laws governing the wines allow red and white wines to be made under the name but no Rose'. The reds are allowed to be made from a blend of up to fifteen selections from the list of allowable red, pink and white grapes. However, in reality the majority of the wines are Grenache based and there are no rules addressing the percentage of any grape in the wines. The addition of Syrah is what typically provides the intensity of color and the grape Mourvedre gives the wine backbone. This is an almost iconic wine and I enjoy it very much. It is fabulous with grilled foods. Something about that charred flavor from the grill is really a nice compliment. You just might want to seek out a few of these wines and fire up the grill. And thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.