Corney & Barrow 

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the southern Rhône’s star appellation and comprises over 3,000 hectares of vineyards and eighty growers. Châteauneuf’s red wines can be magnificent and richly-textured with heady flavours of baked damsons, liquorice and herbes de provence, developing truffled, mushroomy notes with age; the best Châteauneufs can age for twenty years or more. Châteauneuf can be made from thirteen grape varieties, though in practice Grenache tends to dominate, supported by Syrah and Mourvèdre. Châteauneuf’s quality is often linked to the local galets (pudding-stones) found in many vineyards. These rounded stones, which originated from an ancient riverbed, retain vital moisture in the soils, and reflect retained heat onto the vines at night, enhancing ripeness. Rare white Châteauneuf, made principally from Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, can be delicious, with a floral scent and creamy, nutty texture.