
Rhône Blends
Learn about Rhône Blends — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, red Rhône blends originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley. Grenache, supported by Syrah and Mourvèdre typically form the base of the blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. With some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in Priorat, Washington, Australia and California.
Tasting Notes for Rhône Blends
A Rhône blend is a dry, red wine and will vary according to its individual components, as each variety brings something different to the glass. Grenache is the lightest in color but contributes plenty of ripe red fruit and a plush texture. Syrah supplies dark fruit flavors, along with savory, spicy and earthy notes. Mourvèdre is responsible for a floral perfume and earthy flavor as well as structure and a healthy dose of color. New World examples tend to be fruit-forward in style, while those from the Old World will often have more earth, structure and herbal components on top of ripe red and blue fruit.
Perfect Food Pairings for Rhône Blends
Rhône Blends work with a wide variety of meat-based dishes, playing equally well with beef, pork, lamb or game. Braised beef cheeks, grilled steak or sausages, roasted pork and squab are all fine pairings.
Sommelier Secrets for Rhône Blends
Some regions like to put their own local spin on the red Rhône blend—for example, in Australia’s Barossa Valley, Shiraz is commonly blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to add structure, tannin and a long finish. Grenache-based blends from Priorat often include Carignan (known locally as Cariñena) and Syrah, but also international varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, anything goes, and it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
- Pinot Noir523
- Cabernet Sauvignon505
- Other Red Blends240
- Bordeaux Red Blends230
- Sangiovese136
- Tempranillo132
- Rhône Blends123
- Syrah/Shiraz119
- Nebbiolo83
- Malbec82
- Merlot78
- Zinfandel60
- Grenache38
- Tuscan Blends34
- Cabernet Franc26
- Gamay26
- Barbera15
- Montepulciano13
- Carmenere10
- Nero d'Avola10
- Petite Sirah10
- Aglianico9
- Mourvedre9
- Other Red Wine9
- Mencia8
- Nerello Mascalese7
- Bonarda5
- Carignan5
- Cinsault4
- Pinotage4
- Agiorgitiko4
- Primitivo3
- Corvina2
- Dolcetto2
- Lagrein2
- Negroamaro2
- Gaglioppo2
- Petit Verdot1
- Tannat1
- Touriga Nacional1
- Valdiguie1
- Freisa1
- Grignolino1
- Schiava1
-
Cellier des Dauphins Reserve Cotes du Rhone 2018Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- D
-
Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2017Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
-
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- JS
-
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2019Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
- WE
- WS
-
Avaline Red BlendRhone Red Blends from Vin de France, France
- WW
-
Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WS
-
Chateau Fortia Cuvee du Baron Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Cellier des Dauphins Les Dauphins Cuvee Speciale Cotes du Rhone 2018Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WE
-
Paul Autard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
-
Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Prestige 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- WS
-
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (375ML half-bottle) 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JS
- JD
-
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions 2018Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Paul Autard Cotes du Rhone 2018Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
-
Domaine Raymond Usseglio Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Imperiale 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
-
Gerard Bertrand Chateau L'Hospitalet Grand Vin Rouge 2018Rhone Red Blends from La Clape, Languedoc, South of France, France
- D
-
Epoch Ingenuity Red Blend 2016Rhone Red Blends from Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- JD
-
Guigal Gigondas Rouge 2016Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- JD
- W&S
- RP
-
Epoch Veracity Red Blend 2016Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- JD
- WE
- RP
- WS
-
La Vieille Ferme Rouge 2019Rhone Red Blends from France
-
M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 2016Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- W&S
- JD
-
M. Chapoutier Cotes du Rhone Belleruche Rouge 2019Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
-
Torbreck Cuvee Juveniles 2017Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WE
- RP
- WS
- JS
-
Domaine de Saje Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
-
Bodegas Mas Alta Artigas Priorat 2016Rhone Red Blends from Priorat, Spain
- RP
-
Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant Cuvée Oumuamua 2018Rhone Red Blends from Monterey, Central Coast, California
- WE
- WW