The Top Wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the Southern Rhone

The star of the southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape sets a worldwide standard for luscious, powerful reds. (The name, which translates as “The New Castle of the Pope,” refers to the time in the 1300’s when the Roman popes decamped from the Vatican to Avignon, due to political unrest.) To the east, across the Ouvèz river and higher up, lies the smaller appellation Gigondas, divided in two by the craggy Dentelles de Montmirail, a small mountain chain. 

Gigondas offers much of the same complexity and richness as Châteauneuf du Pape but at a more modest price, as do — if one hunts carefully — the up-and-coming appellations of Lirac and Vacqueyras. All these wines are driven principally by the sultry allure of Grenache, though they are typically blends involving a number of other grapes as well, principally Syrah and Mourvèdre.

The character of the entire southern Rhône is defined by its warm climate and glorious Mediterranean sunshine, channeled by Grenache into opulent, silky-smooth reds, though often with underlying power and tannic muscle. The best can age for decades, but have the virtue of being seductive on release as well.