
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 Sauvignon94
- Bordeaux Red Blends76
- Pinot Noir55
- Other Red Blends34
- Sangiovese34
- Syrah/Shiraz32
- Rhône Blends23
- Tempranillo21
- Nebbiolo18
- Tuscan Blends10
- Malbec9
- Grenache8
- Merlot8
- Zinfandel5
- Gamay4
- Montepulciano4
- Petite Sirah4
- Cabernet Franc3
- Cinsault2
- Other Red Wine2
- Nerello Mascalese2
- Aglianico1
- Bonarda1
- Carmenere1
- Corvina1
- Mourvedre1
- Nero d'Avola1
- Petit Verdot1
- Pinotage1
- Agiorgitiko1
- Freisa1
- Grignolino1
- Mencia1
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Epoch Ingenuity Red Blend 2016Rhone Red Blends from Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- JD
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M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 2016Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- W&S
- JD
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Guigal Gigondas Rouge 2016Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- JD
- W&S
- RP
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Epoch Veracity Red Blend 2016Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- JD
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Bodegas Mas Alta Artigas Priorat 2016Rhone Red Blends from Priorat, Spain
- RP
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Domaine de Longue Toque Gigondas 2016Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WS
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Vinum Cellars Red Dirt Red GSM 2016Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Chateau de la Negly Coteaux Du Languedoc La Clape L'Ancely 2016Rhone Red Blends from La Clape, Languedoc, South of France, France
- JD
- RP
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K Vintners Charlotte 2016Rhone Red Blends from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JD
- JS
- RP
- WS
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Marrenon Ventoux Orca Vieilles Vignes 2016Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Ventoux, Rhone, France
- JS
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d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original Shiraz/Grenache 2016Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- W&S
- JS
- WE
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MWC Shiraz Mourvedre 2016Rhone Red Blends from Victoria, Australia
- W&S
- WS
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Chateau Puech-Haut La Closerie du Pic 2016Rhone Red Blends from Pic Saint-Loup, Languedoc, South of France, France
- JD
- RP
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Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier Occultum Lapidem 2016Rhone Red Blends from Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
- WS
- WE
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Gramercy Cellars The Third Man GSM 2016Rhone Red Blends from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
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Le Charmel Rhone Blend 2016Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Luberon, Rhone, France
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Domaine de Marcoux Lirac La Lorentine 2016Rhone Red Blends from Lirac, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
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The Withers Ruben GSM 2016Rhone Red Blends from El Dorado, Sierra Foothills, California
- WE
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The Withers Mr. Burgess 2016Rhone Red Blends from El Dorado, Sierra Foothills, California
- WE
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Gerard Bertrand Clos d'Ora Rouge 2016Rhone Red Blends from Minervois La Liviniere, Minervois, Languedoc, South of France, France
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Domaine Gourt de Mautens Vaucluse Rouge 2016Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- JD
- D
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Domaine de Longue Toque Gigondas Hommage a Gabriel 2016Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- JD
- WE
- RP
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Moobuzz Grenache Syrah Mourvedre 2016Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- WW