
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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Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2008Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard 2008Rhone Red Blends from Adelaida District, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- WS
- RP
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Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz/Grenache 2008Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- WS
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Saxum James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock 2008Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- WS
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d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings 2008Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- W&S
- RP
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Saxum James Berry Vineyard 2008Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- WS
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Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2008Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Rouge 2008Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides 2008Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Torbreck The Steading Red 2008Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WE
- JS
- RP
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Saxum Broken Stones 2008Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- WS
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions 2008Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Rustom Farm Pughouse Shiraz Grenache 2008Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape (375ML half-bottle) 2008Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Domaine Vindemio Regain Cotes du Ventoux 2008Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Ventoux, Rhone, France
- RP
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Les Vignerons d'Estezargues La Granacha Cotes du Rhone Villages Signargues 2008Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Mas Doix Costers de Vinyes Velles Priorat 2008Rhone Red Blends from Priorat, Spain
- RP
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Mas Jullien Coteaux du Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac 2008Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
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Domaine La Garrigue Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Romaine 2008Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Kilikanoon Killerman's Run Shiraz/Grenache 2008Rhone Red Blends from Australia
- RP
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Beckmen Cuvee Le Bec 2008Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- RP
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Senorio de Barahonda Nabuko 2008Rhone Red Blends from Spain
- RP
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Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (375ML half-bottle) 2008Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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John Duval Plexus Red (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2008Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- WS
- WE
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John Duval Plexus Red 2008Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- WS
- WE