AOC Chateauneuf du Pape
Definition - What does AOC Chateauneuf du Pape mean?
AOC (Appellation d'origine Contrôlée) Châteauneuf-du-Pape is found in the region of Rhône in southeast France. It is the most well-known region of southern France. The main wines produced here are the red wine, Syrah and a white wine, Viognier. It is also one of the hottest and most arid regions of France, which is where these varietals thrive. The terroir here is famous for its clay soil covered with pebbles and rocks.
WineFrog explains AOC Chateauneuf du Pape
The AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a historical wine appellation, is located in the region of Rhône in France. Its history begins in 1308 when a former Archbishop of Bordeaux and his papacy settled in the town of Avignon. It is said that they loved Burgundy wines and thus began to cultivate their own grapes near the Rhône river. Later, the wines made there got the name "Vin du Pape"
There are thirteen official grapes grown here today. The most recognized are; Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre for red grapes and Viognier, Picpoul Blanc and Roussanne as white varietals.
Because of its hot and arid climate and unique terroir, wine styles here are often full-bodied, with elements of local soils and higher alcohol content compared to wines elsewhere in France. A famous red wine blend made here is GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre). The most recognized white wines are those mainly made with Viognier.
