
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 Sauvignon206
- Pinot Noir181
- Other Red Blends86
- Bordeaux Red Blends57
- Syrah/Shiraz44
- Merlot39
- Rhône Blends36
- Malbec27
- Sangiovese22
- Zinfandel20
- Tempranillo19
- Nebbiolo14
- Tuscan Blends11
- Cabernet Franc10
- Grenache9
- Nero d'Avola6
- Barbera4
- Mourvedre3
- Other Red Wine3
- Carignan2
- Carmenere2
- Gamay2
- Petite Sirah2
- Nerello Mascalese2
- Aglianico1
- Corvina1
- Lagrein1
- Montepulciano1
- Pinotage1
- Primitivo1
- Mencia1
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Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2017Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Domaine de Saje Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Chateau Fortia Cuvee du Baron Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Torbreck Cuvee Juveniles 2017Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
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Chateau Saint Roch Chimeres 2017Rhone Red Blends from Maury, Roussillon, South of France, France
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Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Chaupin 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
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Grounded Wine Co. Public Radio Paso Robles Red 2017Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
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Domaine de la Charbonniere Chateauneuf-du-Pape Mourre des Perdrix 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Mas Donis Old Vines 2017Rhone Red Blends from Montsant, Spain
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Michel Gassier Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais Red 2017Rhone Red Blends from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France
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Domaine du Gour de Chaule Gigondas Cuvee Tradition 2017Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- RP
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Domaine de la Solitude Cotes Du Rhone Red 2017Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Powell & Son Riverside Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2017Rhone Red Blends from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
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d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Red 2017Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WS
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Barossa Valley Estate GSM 2017Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
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Law Estate Wines Beguiling 2017Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Mas Martinet Clos Martinet Priorat 2017Rhone Red Blends from Priorat, Spain
- RP
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Domaine Gayda En Passant Rouge 2017Rhone Red Blends from Pays d’Oc, South of France, France
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Clos St. Antonin Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
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Massaya Terrasses de Baalbeck 2017Rhone Red Blends from Lebanon
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Angove Family Winemakers Family Crest Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2017Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
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Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge 2017Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WW
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L'Aventure Cote A Cote 2017Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Domaine de Fontsainte Corbieres Reserve La Demoiselle 2017Rhone Red Blends from Corbieres, Languedoc, South of France, France
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Ogier Artesis Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2017Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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