What is the primary grape used in the production of Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is primarily made from Grenache, which is the dominant grape variety in this renowned appellation located in the southern Rhône Valley of France. The region allows for a wide variety of grapes to be blended, but Grenache stands out due to its adaptability to the warm, dry climate, as well as its ability to produce wines with rich fruit flavors, good alcohol levels, and moderate acidity.

Wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape are often characterized by their complexity, depth, and the use of other permitted varietals in smaller proportions, such as Syrah and Mourvèdre, but Grenache is unmistakably the grape that drives the style and profile of these wines. The absence of Grenache as a primary component in the others listed—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenere—highlights why Grenache is the clear choice for this question.