
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 Noir333
- Bordeaux Red Blends299
- Cabernet Sauvignon224
- Nebbiolo134
- Sangiovese106
- Other Red Blends84
- Syrah/Shiraz72
- Rhône Blends62
- Zinfandel51
- Merlot33
- Malbec25
- Cabernet Franc22
- Grenache18
- Tempranillo18
- Petite Sirah17
- Gamay16
- Tuscan Blends13
- Barbera10
- Other Red Wine9
- Montepulciano4
- Mencia4
- Carignan3
- Carmenere3
- Mourvedre3
- Nero d'Avola3
- Nerello Mascalese3
- Aglianico2
- Cinsault2
- Primitivo2
- Corvina1
- Dolcetto1
- Petit Verdot1
- Pinotage1
- Tannat1
- Touriga Nacional1
- Agiorgitiko1
- Baga1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Grignolino1
- Sagrantino1
- St. Laurent1
- Xinomavro1
- Zweigelt1
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Lost Blues Good Fences 2015Rhone Red Blends from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- WE
- JD
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Tenet GSM Blend 2015Rhone Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- JD
- JS
- WE
- WS
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Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone 2015Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WE
- JD
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John Duval Plexus Red 2015Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- JS
- WE
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Famille Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2015Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WE
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Guigal Gigondas Rouge 2015Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WE
- RP
- JS
- JD
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Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2015Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- WE
- W&S
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Guigal Gigondas Rouge (375ML half-bottle) 2015Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WE
- RP
- JS
- JD
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Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape (375ML half-bottle) 2015Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WE
- W&S
- RP
- JD
- WS
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Chateau Mont Redon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2015Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- WE
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Louis Bernard Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Domaine Pere Hugues 2015Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone, France
- WE
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Domaine La Garrigue Vacqueyras La Canterelle 2015Rhone Red Blends from Vacqueyras, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WE
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Complicated Red Blend 2015Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- WE
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Domaine Chaume-Arnaud Vinsobres 2015Rhone Red Blends from Vinsobres, Rhone, France
- WE
- RP
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Gramercy Cellars The Third Man GSM 2015Rhone Red Blends from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- W&S
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Chateau La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Cotes du Rhone Villages 2015Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone, France
- WE
- JS
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Mas de Bressades Cuvee Tradition Syrah/Grenache 2015Rhone Red Blends from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France
- WE
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Villa Creek Willow Creek Cuvee 2015Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- WE
- WW
- RP
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Henschke Henry's Seven 2015Rhone Red Blends from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- WE
- W&S
- WS
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Domaine le Couroulu Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes 2015Rhone Red Blends from Vacqueyras, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Lavau Rasteau 2015Rhone Red Blends from Rasteau, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2015Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- W&S
- RP
- WE
- JD
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Torbreck The Steading 2015Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- WE
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Limerick Lane Syrah / Grenache 2015Rhone Red Blends from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Villa Creek Avenger 2015Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- JD
- RP
- WE