
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.
- Bordeaux Red Blends200
- Cabernet Sauvignon94
- Nebbiolo70
- Syrah/Shiraz68
- Pinot Noir52
- Merlot50
- Other Red Blends35
- Rhône Blends25
- Sangiovese18
- Zinfandel12
- Tuscan Blends7
- Barbera4
- Malbec4
- Tempranillo4
- Grenache3
- Mourvedre3
- Petite Sirah3
- Cabernet Franc2
- Corvina2
- Gamay2
- Other Red Wine2
- Carmenere1
- Negroamaro1
- Nero d'Avola1
- Pinotage1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Mencia1
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Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2000Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2000Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone Villages 2000Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
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La Vieille Ferme Rhone Valley Rouge 2000Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- WS
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Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge (375ML half-bottle) 2000Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Jade Mountain La Provencale 2000Rhone Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Famille Perrin Les Christins Vacqueras 2000Rhone Red Blends from Vacqueyras, Rhone, France
- WS
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Caves des Papes Gigondas Oratorio 2000Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WS
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Tatachilla McLaren Vale Grenache/Shiraz 2000Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WS
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Caves des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape - Les Closiers 2000Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Rosemount Diamond Grenache-Shiraz 2000Rhone Red Blends from Australia
- WS
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Dom. du Galet des Papes Tradition Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2000Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original Shiraz/Grenache 2000Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- WS
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Cadettes 2000Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Domaine Brusset Gigondas le Grand Montmirail 2000Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WS
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Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Mon Aieul 2000Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Domaine de la Mordoree Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Reine des Bois 2000Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Signac Cotes du Rhone Village 2000Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
- W&S
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2000Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Chateau de Beaucastel Hommage Jacques Perrin Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2000Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone 2000Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
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Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee da Capo (3 Liter Bottle) 2000Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- WS
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Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Chaupin 2000Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Famille Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2000Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
- WE
- RP
- W&S
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d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings 2000Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WS
- RP