
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 Noir5583
- Other Red Blends3389
- Cabernet Sauvignon3361
- Bordeaux Red Blends2183
- Syrah/Shiraz1884
- Rhône Blends1799
- Merlot1119
- Sangiovese1006
- Zinfandel927
- Tempranillo868
- Other Red Wine811
- Malbec713
- Nebbiolo680
- Cabernet Franc458
- Grenache439
- Barbera421
- Petite Sirah260
- Gamay233
- Tuscan Blends207
- Dolcetto158
- Carmenere145
- Primitivo135
- Mourvedre128
- Pinotage107
- Nero d'Avola105
- Montepulciano101
- Blaufrankisch70
- Aglianico67
- Petit Verdot55
- Negroamaro54
- Lagrein53
- Mencia43
- Carignan42
- Zweigelt34
- Bonarda33
- Refosco31
- Teroldego28
- Touriga Nacional20
- St. Laurent20
- Tannat19
- Grignolino12
- Nerello Mascalese11
- Bobal10
- Sagrantino10
- Trousseau10
- Corvina9
- Alicante Bouschet7
- Agiorgitiko6
- Schiava6
- Xinomavro5
- Cinsault4
- Pinot Meunier4
- Gaglioppo4
- Mondeuse4
- Lambrusco3
- Valdiguie3
- Baga1
- Frappato1
- Poulsard1
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Domaine Saint Gayan Cotes du Rhone 2012Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Amapola Creek Cuvee Alis 2012Rhone Red Blends from Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Vina Ventisquero Grey Single Block GCM 2012Rhone Red Blends from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
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Kale Kick Ranch Vineyard Home Run Cuvee 2012Rhone Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
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Sans Liege The Offering 2012Rhone Red Blends from Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
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Domaine Lafond Lirac Roc-Epine Rouge 2012Rhone Red Blends from Lirac, Rhone, France
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Saxum Broken Stones 2012Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard 2012Rhone Red Blends from Adelaida District, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Saxum James Berry Vineyard 2012Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
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Saxum James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock 2012Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Saxum Booker Vineyard 2012Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Les Vignerons de Tautavel Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex 2012Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Roussillon-Tautavel, Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
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Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Mas Janeil Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2012Rhone Red Blends from Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
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Andre Brunel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Andre Brunel Cotes du Rhone 2012Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Los Dos Grenache Syrah 2012Rhone Red Blends from Spain
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Chateau de Campuget Tradition Red Blend 2012Rhone Red Blends from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France
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Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2012Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant 2012Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
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Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone Villages 2012Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone, France
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Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone 2012Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Lou Bar Rou Ventoux 2012Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Ventoux, Rhone, France
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Clos Saint-Jean Deus Ex Machina Chateauneuf-du-Pape (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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