Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an appellation of the southern Rhône Valley in southeastern France, located near Avignon. It is one of the historic benchmarks of French appellation law, associated with the early development of controlled origin standards and named for the “new castle of the pope,” a reference to the Avignon papacy.
The appellation produces red and white wines, though red wine is dominant. Grenache is the principal grape in many blends, supported by varieties such as Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise, Clairette, and Roussanne; the wines are generally defined by ripe fruit, Mediterranean herbs, warmth, and structural density.