
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.
- Bordeaux Red Blends218
- Syrah/Shiraz188
- Cabernet Sauvignon182
- Pinot Noir107
- Other Red Blends106
- Rhône Blends98
- Sangiovese96
- Nebbiolo62
- Tempranillo59
- Malbec32
- Merlot30
- Zinfandel30
- Grenache29
- Tuscan Blends10
- Petite Sirah9
- Mourvedre8
- Other Red Wine7
- Montepulciano6
- Aglianico4
- Barbera4
- Cabernet Franc4
- Negroamaro3
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- Carmenere1
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- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate98
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- Jeb Dunnuck8
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- Connoisseurs' Guide2
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Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
- JD
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Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WE
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Saxum Broken Stones 2006Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- WS
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Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Guigal Gigondas Rouge 2006Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- RP
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Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Famille Perrin Vinsobres Les Cornuds 2006Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Two Hands Brave Faces Shiraz Grenache 2006Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Torbreck The Steading 2006Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Rouge 2006Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- RP
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M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- W&S
- RP
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Henschke Henry's Seven 2006Rhone Red Blends from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Domaine de la Mordoree Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Reine des Bois 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Famille Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2006Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape (375ML half-bottle) 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- W&S
- RP
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Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Deux Freres 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2006Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz/Grenache 2006Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Domaine de Fondreche Cuvee Nadal 2006Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Rosemount Grenache-Syrah-Mouvedre G.S.M. 2006Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Henschke Johann's Garden GSM 2006Rhone Red Blends from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Cellers Can Blau Mas de Can Blau 2006Rhone Red Blends from Spain
- WS
- RP