
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 Sauvignon887
- Pinot Noir680
- Syrah/Shiraz630
- Bordeaux Red Blends519
- Other Red Blends481
- Merlot333
- Rhône Blends257
- Sangiovese255
- Zinfandel229
- Tempranillo134
- Nebbiolo124
- Other Red Wine76
- Barbera65
- Petite Sirah55
- Grenache54
- Malbec47
- Tuscan Blends47
- Cabernet Franc43
- Gamay30
- Mourvedre23
- Carmenere12
- Nero d'Avola12
- Pinotage12
- Primitivo12
- Aglianico11
- Dolcetto11
- Montepulciano9
- Negroamaro7
- Petit Verdot4
- Refosco4
- Bonarda3
- Carignan3
- Lagrein3
- Sagrantino3
- St. Laurent3
- Corvina2
- Valdiguie2
- Agiorgitiko2
- Alicante Bouschet2
- Mencia2
- Teroldego2
- Pinot Meunier1
- Tannat1
- Bobal1
- Zweigelt1
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Standish The Relic Shiraz 2003Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Chaupin 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Quet 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
- JD
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Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Rouge 2003Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- RP
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Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant 2003Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- WE
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Domaine de Cristia Cuvee Renaissance Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Quet (Torn Label) 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- W&S
- RP
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Ravenswood Icon 2003Rhone Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
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Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas Rouge 2003Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- RP
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Chateau de Beaucastel Hommage Jacques Perrin Chateauneuf-du-Pape (stained label) 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- JD
- D
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Ey Vigne Lavail Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2003Rhone Red Blends from Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
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Domaine de Mourchon Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Tradition 2003Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Dom. du Galet des Papes Vieilles Vignes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Dom. Gres St. Vincent Cotes du Rhone 2003Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Guigal Gigondas Rouge 2003Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WE
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d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Red 2003Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
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Paul Autard Cote Ronde Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- W&S
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Chateau La Baronne Rouge 2003Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
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Chateau Lamargue Costieres de Nimes Rouge 2003Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
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Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Domaine Famille Ligneres Aric 2003Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- WE