Chateauneuf du Pape

Yes, we have a crush on Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the wine produced in the historic town of the same name in the southern Rhone Valley in France. One might consider it more than a crush. Perhaps a borderline obsession. And with good reason.

Chateauneuf-du-Pape roughly translates to "the Pope's new castle." That was an accurate statement in the early 14th century, when Pope Clement V chose the town just north of Avignon as the new home for the Pope's court. It is said that Clement V and subsequent Popes loved Burgundy wine and weren't shy about promoting it during the 70-year Avignon Papacy. How can you not love a wine with such divine origins?

Chateauneuf-du-Pape is famous for its full-bodied, spicy red wines, packaged in heavy, dark bottles - and we do love a little mystery in our wines. Traditionally, the region allows 13 grape varieties to be used in the production of wine, an unusually long list headlined by Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. There are no restrictions on proportion of grape varieties, although most Chateaueuf-du Pape wines are dominated by Grenache.

In the region's red wine, Grenache is known for its distinct sweetness and thick, richly colored consistency, while Syrah adds color and spice, and Mourvedre provides structure and a touch of elegance. White wines account for less than 5% of Chateauneuf-du-Pape varieties, with flavor notes that include everything from almond and fennel to honeysuckle and peach.

Bold, spicy and uninhibited. That explains our crush on Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Can you blame us?

Yes, we have a crush on Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the wine produced in the historic town of the same name in the southern Rhone Valley in France. One might consider it more than a crush. Perhaps a borderline obsession. And with good reason.

Chateauneuf-du-Pape roughly translates to "the Pope's new castle." That was an accurate statement in the early 14th century, when Pope Clement V chose the town just north of Avignon as the new home for the Pope's court. It is said that Clement V and subsequent Popes loved Burgundy wine and weren't shy about promoting it during the 70-year Avignon Papacy. How can you not love a wine with such divine origins?

Chateauneuf-du-Pape is famous for its full-bodied, spicy red wines, packaged in heavy, dark bottles - and we do love a little mystery in our wines. Traditionally, the region allows 13 grape varieties to be used in the production of wine, an unusually long list headlined by Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. There are no restrictions on proportion of grape varieties, although most Chateaueuf-du Pape wines are dominated by Grenache.

In the region's red wine, Grenache is known for its distinct sweetness and thick, richly colored consistency, while Syrah adds color and spice, and Mourvedre provides structure and a touch of elegance. White wines account for less than 5% of Chateauneuf-du-Pape varieties, with flavor notes that include everything from almond and fennel to honeysuckle and peach.

Bold, spicy and uninhibited. That explains our crush on Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Can you blame us?