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Aldi launches 13-variety du Pape wine brand
Low-price retailer Aldi has released a Châteauneuf du Pape to the UK market made using all 13 of the traditional grape varieties that the region is allowed to grow.
Aldi’s Châteauneuf du Pape brand (Photo: Aldi)
Certain styles of Châteauneuf du Pape, one of the most popular regional wine brands in the UK, can sell for up to £60 in the country’s upmarket merchants.
However, this version of the French wine, which is being produced exclusively for Aldi, will be on sale for £16.99 as part of the supermarket’s premium range.
It is made using a blend of the 13 traditional grapes permitted in the winemaking area, which is often dubbed the ‘king of the Rhône’ region.
Winemakers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape rarely use more than five grapes in a wine.
The region is legally permitted to grow 18 grape varieties, but only 13 are considered ‘traditional’, and all feature in the new wine. (According to The World Atlas of Wine, there were once 13 permitted varieties, but different colours of the same grape are now listed as separate varieties).
The Aldi blend is made up of Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, Cinsault, Clairette, Vaccarese, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Counoise, Muscardin, Picpoul, Picardan and Terret Noir.
The result is “a complex, multi-dimensional wine with a rich colour, aroma and balance”, the retailer says.
Tony Baines, Aldi’s UK managing director, said: “We’re committed to opening up the world of wonderful wine to everyone, and allowing our customers to enjoy rare and exciting styles without having to spend a fortune.”
While it is not clear what producer is behind the exclusive Aldi wine, Baines said the company worked with a “very talented” winemaker “to create this fantastic ‘Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee 13’, and we hope our customers enjoy drinking it as much as we did bringing it to our exciting new online wine offering.”
Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers that use the full 13 traditional grape varieties are rare, but include famous names Château de Beaucastel and Clos des Papes.