
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.
- Pinot Noir216
- Cabernet Sauvignon145
- Rhône Blends84
- Other Red Blends74
- Syrah/Shiraz68
- Zinfandel42
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- Bordeaux Red Blends33
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- Tempranillo23
- Grenache17
- Malbec15
- Cabernet Franc14
- Gamay9
- Tuscan Blends9
- Other Red Wine8
- Carignan6
- Petite Sirah6
- Carmenere5
- Barbera4
- Mourvedre2
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Chene Bleu Heloise 2013Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
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Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2013Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WW
- TP
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Angove Family Winemakers Family Crest Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2013Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WE
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d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings 2013Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier Occultum Lapidem 2013Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
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d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original Shiraz/Grenache 2013Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WE
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2013Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- W&S
- WS
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Michel Gassier Cercius Rouge 2013Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Gerard Bertrand Grand Terroir Les Aspres 2013Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Roussillon-Les Aspres, Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
- RP
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Henschke Henry's Seven 2013Rhone Red Blends from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- W&S
- WS
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Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2013Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WW
- RP
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions 2013Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Andre Brunel Cotes du Rhone 2013Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Bonterra The Butler Biodynamic Single Vineyard Red 2013Rhone Red Blends from Mendocino, California
- W&S
- WE
- WW
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Chapelle St. Theodoric Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Guigasse 2013Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Gerard Bertrand Grand Terroir La Clape 2013Rhone Red Blends from La Clape, Languedoc, South of France, France
- WS
- W&S
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M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape Croix de Bois 2013Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Hearst Ranch Three Sisters Cuvee Red 2013Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- WW
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Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf-du-Pape Premices 2013Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Gerard Bertrand Languedoc 2013Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- WE
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Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2013Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Nature 2013Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Hahn GSM 2013Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- WE
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Michel Gassier Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais Red 2013Rhone Red Blends from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Olivets 2013Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS