
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.
- Cabernet Sauvignon541
- Merlot324
- Bordeaux Red Blends283
- Pinot Noir279
- Syrah/Shiraz211
- Other Red Blends184
- Sangiovese175
- Zinfandel167
- Rhône Blends90
- Nebbiolo70
- Tempranillo62
- Barbera25
- Gamay25
- Other Red Wine24
- Tuscan Blends19
- Cabernet Franc14
- Grenache14
- Petite Sirah14
- Pinotage8
- Malbec6
- Montepulciano4
- Mourvedre4
- Aglianico3
- Corvina3
- Dolcetto3
- Negroamaro3
- Nero d'Avola2
- Pinot Meunier2
- Blaufrankisch2
- Gaglioppo2
- Carignan1
- Carmenere1
- Primitivo1
- Teroldego1
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Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WE
- WS
- JD
- RP
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M. Chapoutier Domaine des Beates Terra dOr 1998Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- RP
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Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Chateau Pesquie Cuvee 105 Cotes du Ventoux Rouge 1998Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
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Jaboulet Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Les Cedres 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Caves des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape - Les Closiers (bin soiled label) 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Domaine de Beaurenard Cuvee Boisrenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Andre Brunel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Cailloux Centenaire 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge 1998Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz-Mourvedre 1998Rhone Red Blends from Australia
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Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge (375ML half-bottle) 1998Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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McGuigan Brothers Shiraz/Grenache Black Label 1998Rhone Red Blends from Australia
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M. Picard Cotes du Rhone 1998Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Delas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Calcerniers 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Jaboulet Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45 Rouge 1998Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Caves des Papes Cotes Du Rhone Heritage 1998Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone 1998Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Domaine Gramenon Cotes du Rhone 1998Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Delas Cotes du Rhone St. Esprit Rouge 1998Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Chateau Mont Redon Cotes du Rhone 1998Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Barton & Guestier Cotes du Rhone 1998Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Chateau Pesquie Quintessence 1998Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
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Vidal-Fleury Gigondas 1998Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France