
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.
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Cadettes 2015Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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- W&S
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Domaine les Pallieres Gigondas Les Racines 2015Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
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- RP
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Casa Castillo Las Gravas 2015Rhone Red Blends from Jumilla, Spain
- RP
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Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz 2015Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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- RP
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Gerard Bertrand Cap Insula Red 2015Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
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Clos Bellane Cotes du Rhone Villages Valreas Rouge 2015Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone, France
- RP
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Domaine La Bouissiere Gigondas 2015Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- RP
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M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape Croix de Bois 2015Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- WS
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Roger Sabon Rhone By Roger Sabon 2015Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- RP
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Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Prestige (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2015Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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- JD
- JS
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Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Prestige 2015Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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- RP
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Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas 2015Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
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Domaine Lafage Tessellae Old Vines GSM 2015Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas le Poste 2015Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
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- JS
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions 2015Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas le Claux 2015Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
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Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2015Rhone Red Blends from Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
- RP
- WS
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Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2015Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Olivets 2015Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Chateau Fontanes Pic Saint-Loup Rouge 2015Rhone Red Blends from Pic Saint-Loup, Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
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Gerard Bertrand Languedoc 2015Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
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Domaine Lafage Bastide Miraflors Vieilles Vignes 2015Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
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Domaine St. Damien Cotes-du-Rhone Plan de Dieu Vieilles Vignes 2015Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Henschke Johann's Garden GSM 2015Rhone Red Blends from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- RP
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Plateau des Chenes Lirac Rouge 2015Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- RP
- WS