
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 Noir633
- Cabernet Sauvignon619
- Other Red Blends296
- Bordeaux Red Blends255
- Sangiovese164
- Tempranillo159
- Rhône Blends149
- Syrah/Shiraz133
- Malbec112
- Merlot106
- Nebbiolo95
- Zinfandel79
- Grenache46
- Tuscan Blends42
- Gamay33
- Cabernet Franc29
- Barbera23
- Carmenere14
- Petite Sirah14
- Montepulciano13
- Other Red Wine12
- Mourvedre11
- Nero d'Avola11
- Mencia10
- Aglianico9
- Nerello Mascalese7
- Carignan6
- Bonarda5
- Agiorgitiko5
- Cinsault4
- Primitivo4
- Dolcetto3
- Lagrein3
- Negroamaro3
- Pinotage3
- Corvina2
- Tannat2
- Gaglioppo2
- Touriga Nacional1
- Valdiguie1
- Freisa1
- Pais1
- Sagrantino1
- Schiava1
-
Gerard Bertrand Chateau L'Hospitalet Grand Vin Rouge 2018Rhone Red Blends from La Clape, Languedoc, South of France, France
- D
-
Vinum Cellars Red Dirt Red GSM 2016Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
-
Gerard Bertrand Minervois 2017Rhone Red Blends from Minervois, Languedoc, South of France, France
- WS
-
Gerard Bertrand Art de Vivre Vin Rouge 2015Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- WS
-
Mas Martinet Clos Martinet Priorat 2017Rhone Red Blends from Priorat, Spain
- RP
- JD
-
Angove Family Winemakers Family Crest Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2017Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
-
Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WS
-
K Vintners Charlotte 2016Rhone Red Blends from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JD
- JS
- RP
- WS
-
Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2017Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
-
Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge 2017Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WW
-
Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge 2018Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
-
Torbreck Cuvee Juveniles 2017Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WE
- RP
- WS
- JS
-
Chateau Puech-Haut La Closerie du Pic 2016Rhone Red Blends from Pic Saint-Loup, Languedoc, South of France, France
- JD
- RP
-
Chene Bleu Heloise 2011Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- JD
-
Familia Torres Grans Muralles 2010Rhone Red Blends from Spain
- JS
- RP
- W&S
- WE
- WS
-
Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas Lieu Dit 2018Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WS
-
Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas Le Plateau 2018Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- JD
- WS
- RP
-
Domaine Gourt de Mautens Vaucluse Rouge 2016Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- JD
- D
-
Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier Occultum Lapidem 2016Rhone Red Blends from Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
- WS
- WE
-
Domaine Raymond Usseglio Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Imperiale 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
-
Chateau Coupe Roses Minervois Cuvee Vignals 2018Rhone Red Blends from Minervois, Languedoc, South of France, France
-
Cellier des Dauphins Les Dauphins Cuvee Speciale Cotes du Rhone 2019Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
-
Pierre Dupond La Renjardiere Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2018Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
-
Force Majeure Parvata 2017Rhone Red Blends from Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- JD
-
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- V