C.

Red Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are typically dominated by Grenache, which provides ripe red fruit flavors, warmth, and a full body. Other varieties include Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault, which are often blended in smaller amounts to add spice, color, tannic structure, and complexity. Grenache thrives in the southern Rhône’s hot, dry climate and stony soils, including the famous galets roulés (“rolled stones”) that retain heat and escalate ripening, but that also protect the ground from becoming parched and hold moisture in the soil. Together, these factors give Châteauneuf-du-Pape its signature richness and depth.