The Thirteen Grapes of Chateauneuf Du Pape Wine

You may have seen a gorgeous, crested bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape at your local wine shop and wondered about it. In most cases, employees will be able to speak about a few of the grapes, but I have yet to meet anyone who can speak about all 13! Presently only 2 châteaux use all 13 grapes within the designation, but most producers use at least 4. I am going to give a brief description of AOC Châteauneuf du Pape's grape varietals and their purpose in the making of this beautiful, ageworthy wine.

1. Grenache: The most popular varietal grown in Châteauneuf du pape, it is also the most popular grape varietal grown worldwide. Grenache loves a hot, dry climate and has responded well to the gallets (smooth stones) soil of Châteauneuf.

2. Syrah: known as Syrah and Shiraz, this grape is the 2^nd most popular grape used for blending in Châteauneuf du Pape and it makes big, rich age worthy wines if handled properly.

3. Mourvedre: Big, Black, Tannic and Tough, this grape is called Mataro in Australia and Monastrell in Spain and is the primary grape in wine from Bandol, France. The grape adds structure and earth flavors to Châteauneuf wines.

4. Cinsault: This is another big, black, inky grape added to Châteauneuf du Pape for its color content as well as flavor. Its heat tolerance and drought resistance make it a great hot climate wine!

5. Muscardin: A very rare varietal that is never bottles on its own, it adds aromatics and tannic structure to Châteauneuf du Pape wine. Traditionally, it makes up less than 1% of the final blend.

6. Counoise: a beautiful and rare varietal, it is added to Châteauneuf-du Pape for floral aromatics, peppery flavor and acidic balance. Those that use counoise tend to use about 5% in the final blending. Domaine de Montpertuis is the only property in the Rhone bottling a 100% counoise wine. It is very light and floral and is best served just below room temperature.

7. Clairette: a white varietal, it is used in Châteauneuf du Pape to add a creamy, full bodied mouth feel. It is also known as one of the white varietals used to make vermouth.

8. Bourbelenc: Comprising just 1% of Châteauneuf du Pape vineyard acreage, Bourbelenc is another white varietal. It is used to add a touch of smoke to the wine and as a late ripening grape like Grenache, blends well.

9. Picpoul: Known for making excellent summery white wines. It can Red, White or Gris, but only the white is permitted in Châteauneuf du Pape. It makes up only .15% of the acreage in the appellation.

10. Rousanne: another white varietal, this beautiful, rich and creamy grape is the predominant varietal in white Châteauneuf du Pape. Once thought to be related to Viognier, it is genetically unrelated.

11. Terret Noir: a late budding, rare red varietal, it is used for aromatics only.

12. Picardin: minor white varietal comprising less than .05% of a traditional Châteauneuf du pape Blend.

13. Vaccarese: indigenous to the Rhone Valley, it makes peppery, tannic but light wine and is used only in small amounts in Châteauneuf du Pape.

Next time you are in a wine shop, pick up a bottle and quiz the closest employee and see what they say! How many grapes can THEY name?