
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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Ravenswood Icon 2002Rhone Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
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Terre Rouge Tete-a-Tete 2002Rhone Red Blends from Sierra Foothills, California
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Domaine Famille Ligneres Las Vals Rouge 2002Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
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Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Rouge 2002Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Mont Redon Cotes du Rhone 2002Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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M. Chapoutier Cotes du Rhone Belleruche Rouge 2002Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Goats do Roam Red 2002Rhone Red Blends from South Africa
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Domaine de Beaurenard Rasteau 2002Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2002Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Torbreck The Steading Red 2002Rhone Red Blends from Australia
- RP
- JS
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Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape (stained label) 2002Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Kurtz Family Vineyards Boundry Row Grenache-Shiraz 2002Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Mas Donis Mas Donis Barrica 2002Rhone Red Blends from Spain
- RP
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions 2002Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Olivets 2002Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Goats do Roam Goat-Roti 2002Rhone Red Blends from South Africa
- WS
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Yalumba Hand-Picked Mourvedre Grenache Shiraz 2002Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- W&S
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Barton & Guestier Cotes du Rhone 2002Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2002Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Goats do Roam Red 2002Rhone Red Blends from South Africa
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2002Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Joseph Phelps Pastiche Red 2002Rhone Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Chateau de Beaucastel Coudoulet Rouge 2002Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Rosemount Diamond Grenache-Shiraz 2002Rhone Red Blends from Australia
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Famille Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2002Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France