
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 of Rhone Blends 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 for these red wines.
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 Rhone 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 in Rhone-style red blends.
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L'Aventure Cote A Cote 2007Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
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Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Rouge 2007Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- JD
- WS
- W&S
- WE
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Chateau de Vaudieu Val de Dieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Slightly Torn Label) 2007Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Donkey & Goat Four Thirteen 2007Rhone Red Blends from North Coast, California
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Chene Bleu Abelard 2007Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Famille Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2007Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2007Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone Domaine le Garrigon 2007Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
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d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original Shiraz/Grenache 2007Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
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Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2007Rhone Red Blends from Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
- RP
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Saint Jean Du Barroux L'Argile 2007Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- RP
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Les Vignerons d'Estezargues La Granacha Cotes du Rhone Villages Signargues 2007Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier Occultum Lapidem 2007Rhone Red Blends from Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
- RP
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Domaine La Bouissiere Gigondas 2007Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WS
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Chateau de Beaucastel Coudoulet Rouge 2007Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Rouge (375ML half-bottle) 2007Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- RP
- JD
- WS
- WE
- W&S
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Scaggs Vineyard Montage 2007Rhone Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
- W&S
- WE
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Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas Rouge 2007Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- RP
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Domaine Vindemio Imagine Cotes du Ventoux 2007Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Ventoux, Rhone, France
- RP
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Domaine La Milliere Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2007Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape Val de Dieu 2007Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2007Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WE
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Chene Bleu Heloise 2007Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- W&S