Châteauneuf-du-Pape Alternatives

There’s no place like Rhône! My list of several substitutes to France's iconic red, perfect for Chimbletide festivities

Few names in the wine world resonate as profoundly as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or as my colleague at Majestic used to call it—Châteauneuf du poopey woopey.

This wine-growing region in the southern Rhône Valley of France has earned its place among the elite for many years.

But, Pourquoi? I hear you ask:

Rich History 📜

Châteauneuf-du-Pape boasts a rich history dating back to the 14th century when Pope Clement V relocated the papal court to Avignon.

AOC Pioneers 🍷

Perhaps one of the most distinguishing factors is that Châteauneuf-du-Pape was France’s first Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée (wine-growing regions) established in 1936.

The Lay of the Land 🌄

With its stony soils and significant pebbles known as "galets," which absorb the heat during the day and release it at night, and its warm Mediterranean climate, Châteauneuf-du-Pape has the ideal grape-growing environment to make rich and memorable wines.

Handy Work 🤲🍇

One of the laws of this famous region is that hand-harvesting is a must. This approach ensures that only the finest fruit makes its way into the winemaking process, adding to the wine's quality and character.

Grape Varieties 🍇

While Châteauneuf-du-Pape is celebrated for its beautiful blend of the much-loved Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre grapes, it also allows for up to 13 grape varieties in the blend.

Heavyweight Division 🥊

We all know that this is a bold wine packed with fruit, spice, and oak. Its distinctive style is recognised throughout the world.

Distinctive Bottle Design 🍾

Recognisable by its distinctive bottle embossed with the papal crest, Châteauneuf-du-Pape's packaging is iconic and memorable.

Don’t Forget Me 🥂

It’s not just reds; you can also find flavourful whites!

The unfortunate news is that in today’s world, we see many average examples on our shelves that really don’t do the wine justice. Châteauneuf-du-Pape needs care and ageing. You can quite easily pay a lot and feel underwhelmed.

The good news though is that Châteauneuf-du-Pape has plenty of noisy neighbours that provide a very similar style without the hefty price tag.

So, just in time for Christmas, here are several alternatives to France’s fantastic red and one of the real deal as well! 🍷🎄