
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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Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape (375ML half-bottle) 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Chateau de Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone Reserve 1995Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone 1995Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Chateau Mont Redon Cotes du Rhone 1995Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Jaboulet Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Les Cedres (half-bottle) 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Jaboulet Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Les Cedres 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Chateau Mont Redon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Vidal-Fleury Gigondas 1995Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
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Vidal-Fleury Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Chateau des Tours Vacqueyras Reserve 1995Rhone Red Blends from Vacqueyras, Rhone, France
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Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Laurence 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Celestins 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Seppeltsfield Para 21 Year Old Vintage Tawny Port 1995Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
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Seppeltsfield Para Vintage Port 1995Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
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Chateau Vannieres Bandol Rouge 1995Rhone Red Blends from Bandol, Provence, South of France, France
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Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Berard Pere et Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Prestige 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France