Embossed bottles

Why are Châteauneuf-du-Pape bottles embossed, and is this the only appellation (in France or elsewhere) that does this?’ Richard Archdall, Surrey Matt Walls replies: There are two different styles of embossed bottle in Châteauneuf-duPape. The oldest, featuring the keys of St Peter and the Pope’s tiara, was introduced in 1937. Considering Châteauneuf was a pioneer of controlled appellation laws, it’s almost certainly the first AC to do this. It was created primarily to stop counterfeiting, as only Châteauneuf producers are allowed to buy these bottles. The other style featuring a mitre is more recent (there are two producer syndicates in the AC).

Châteauneuf isn’t the only appellation with embossed bottles – most other Rhône crus and Côtes du Rhône-Villages now have their own. It’s increasingly

common across France and elsewhere, whether denoting an appellation or a specific producer (Taylor’s Port, for example). Today, it’s more about marketing than preventing fraud.