
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 Noir626
- Cabernet Sauvignon608
- Other Red Blends295
- Bordeaux Red Blends259
- Sangiovese163
- Tempranillo157
- Rhône Blends149
- Syrah/Shiraz132
- Malbec115
- Merlot106
- Nebbiolo95
- Zinfandel79
- Grenache45
- Tuscan Blends38
- Gamay31
- Cabernet Franc28
- Barbera21
- Carmenere14
- Montepulciano14
- Petite Sirah14
- Other Red Wine12
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- Nero d'Avola11
- Mencia9
- Aglianico8
- Nerello Mascalese7
- Carignan6
- Bonarda5
- Cinsault4
- Primitivo4
- Agiorgitiko4
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Cellier des Dauphins Reserve Cotes du Rhone 2018Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge 2018Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
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Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WS
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Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2017Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- JS
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Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Prestige 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- WS
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Chateau Fortia Cuvee du Baron Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Avaline Red BlendRhone Red Blends from Vin de France, France
- TP
- WW
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Domaine St. Damien Cotes-du-Rhone Plan de Dieu Vieilles Vignes 2018Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2016Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- JS
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Paul Autard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
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Maison Brotte Creation Grosset Cru des Cotes du Rhone 2017Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone, France
- JS
- WS
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Epoch Veracity Red Blend 2016Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- JD
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Gerard Bertrand Chateau L'Hospitalet Grand Vin Rouge 2018Rhone Red Blends from La Clape, Languedoc, South of France, France
- D
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Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2016Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JS
- RP
- JD
- WS
- W&S
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Chateau Saint Roch Chimeres 2017Rhone Red Blends from Maury, Roussillon, South of France, France
- JD
- RP
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Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
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Maison Brotte Les Hauts de Barville Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WE
- JS
- WS
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Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2018Rhone Red Blends from Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
- JD
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Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas Le Plateau 2018Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- JD
- WS
- RP
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Michel Gassier Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais Red 2017Rhone Red Blends from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France
- JD
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Torbreck Cuvee Juveniles 2017Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WE
- RP
- WS
- JS
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Chateau La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Cotes du Rhone Villages 2019Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone, France
- RP
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Badenhorst Secateurs Red Blend 2018Rhone Red Blends from Swartland, South Africa
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Domaine Font du Vent Cuvee Tradition Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP