
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 Noir88
- Cabernet Sauvignon68
- Bordeaux Red Blends58
- Sangiovese53
- Nebbiolo47
- Rhône Blends31
- Syrah/Shiraz30
- Other Red Blends23
- Tempranillo19
- Merlot11
- Malbec10
- Tuscan Blends10
- Grenache7
- Zinfandel7
- Gamay5
- Barbera3
- Aglianico2
- Nero d'Avola2
- Nerello Mascalese2
- Cabernet Franc1
- Carmenere1
- Montepulciano1
- Negroamaro1
- Other Red Wine1
- Mencia1
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2019Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WS
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Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Prestige 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- WS
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Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- WS
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Paul Autard Cotes du Rhone 2018Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
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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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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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Torbreck Cuvee Juveniles 2017Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WE
- RP
- WS
- JS
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Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
- JD
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Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Chaupin 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Domaine de la Charbonniere Chateauneuf-du-Pape Mourre des Perdrix 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2018Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- D
- WS
- W&S
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Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas Lieu Dit 2018Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WS
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Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas Le Plateau 2018Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- WS
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Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres Rouge 2018Rhone Red Blends from Vinsobres, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Domaine de Longue Toque Gigondas 2016Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WS
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Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz 2018Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- D
- RP
- JD
- WS
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Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition 2014Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas 2018Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Red 2017Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WS
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas le Claux 2018Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- JD
- W&S
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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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Torres Grans Muralles 2010Rhone Red Blends from Spain
- JS
- RP
- W&S
- WE
- WS
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Delas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Haute Pierre 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Clos St. Antonin Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- JS
- WS