
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.
- Pinot Noir1463
- Cabernet Sauvignon1378
- Bordeaux Red Blends1058
- Syrah/Shiraz981
- Other Red Blends964
- Merlot525
- Rhône Blends455
- Tempranillo402
- Zinfandel354
- Sangiovese311
- Nebbiolo293
- Other Red Wine173
- Cabernet Franc102
- Grenache102
- Malbec102
- Petite Sirah81
- Barbera75
- Gamay49
- Tuscan Blends48
- Mourvedre37
- Pinotage29
- Carmenere23
- Nero d'Avola22
- Dolcetto21
- Aglianico17
- Montepulciano17
- Primitivo15
- Sagrantino10
- Bonarda8
- Petit Verdot8
- Negroamaro7
- Refosco7
- Carignan6
- Touriga Nacional5
- Mencia5
- Lagrein4
- Teroldego4
- St. Laurent3
- Tannat2
- Nerello Mascalese2
- Corvina1
- Valdiguie1
- Agiorgitiko1
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Baga1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Bobal1
- Gaglioppo1
- Grignolino1
- Mondeuse1
- Zweigelt1
-
Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape (stained label) 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
-
Les Deux Rives Corbieres Rouge 2005Rhone Red Blends from Corbieres, Languedoc, South of France, France
-
Dom. du Grand Tinel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Alexis Establet 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Exceptionnelle 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Saxum James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock 2005Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
-
Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
-
d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Red 2005Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
-
Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- W&S
- RP
-
Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
-
Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Mon Aieul 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
-
Goats do Roam Red 2005Rhone Red Blends from South Africa
- WS
-
Cimicky Trumps Grenache/Shiraz 2005Rhone Red Blends from Australia
-
Betts & Scholl Hermitage Rouge 2005Rhone Red Blends from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- WS
-
Joseph Phelps Le Mistral 2005Rhone Red Blends from Monterey, Central Coast, California
-
Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Quet 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
-
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2005Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
-
Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee (stained label) 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
-
Rutherglen Estates The Reunion 2005Rhone Red Blends from Australia
-
Rosemount Grenache-Syrah-Mouvedre G.S.M. 2005Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WS
-
Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape (375ML half-bottle) 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- W&S
- RP
-
Langmeil Three Gardens SMG 2005Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
-
Guigal Gigondas Rouge 2005Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Domaine de Beaurenard Cuvee Boisrenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
-
Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone 2005Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
-
Domaine La Barroche Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pure 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP