
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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Gerard Bertrand Cotes du Roussillon Tautavel Hommage aux Vignerons 2011Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Roussillon-Tautavel, Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
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Gerard Bertrand Languedoc 2011Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
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Bodegas Mas Alta Romani La Basseta 2011Rhone Red Blends from Priorat, Spain
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2011Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone Domaine le Garrigon 2011Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Calendal Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu 2011Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone, France
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Ampelos Cellars Syrache 2011Rhone Red Blends from Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
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Domaine Santa Duc Prestige des Hautes Garrigues Gigondas 2011Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
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Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf-du-Pape Gallimardes 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Gerard Bertrand Fitou 2011Rhone Red Blends from Fitou, Languedoc, South of France, France
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Cote des Roses Rouge 2011Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
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Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Gerard Bertrand Corbieres 2011Rhone Red Blends from Corbieres, Languedoc, South of France, France
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Michel Gassier Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais Red 2011Rhone Red Blends from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France
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Andre Brunel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Cailloux 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Domaine de Marcoux Cotes-du-Rhone 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Chateau Maris Old School Rouge 2011Rhone Red Blends from Minervois, Languedoc, South of France, France
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Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Chateau de Vaudieu Val de Dieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Antares 2011Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
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d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Red 2011Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
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Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf-du-Pape Premices 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Gerard Bertrand Grand Terroir Les Aspres 2011Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Roussillon-Les Aspres, Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
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Denis Tardieu Cotes du Rhone 2011Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France