
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 Blends193
- Sangiovese141
- Nebbiolo134
- Other Red Blends113
- Pinot Noir109
- Rhône Blends101
- Cabernet Sauvignon98
- Syrah/Shiraz90
- Tempranillo55
- Malbec48
- Zinfandel31
- Tuscan Blends21
- Merlot20
- Cabernet Franc10
- Petite Sirah8
- Barbera7
- Carmenere7
- Grenache7
- Aglianico6
- Dolcetto4
- Gamay4
- Other Red Wine4
- Mencia4
- Sagrantino4
- Nero d'Avola3
- Touriga Nacional3
- Bonarda2
- Mourvedre2
- Corvina1
- Montepulciano1
- Negroamaro1
- Petit Verdot1
- Pinotage1
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Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Chante Le Merle 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Saxum James Berry Vineyard 2011Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- WS
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Olivier Ravoire Gigondas 2011Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WS
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Gerard Bertrand Cotes du Roussillon Tautavel Hommage aux Vignerons 2011Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Roussillon-Tautavel, Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
- WE
- WS
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Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Chaupin 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- WS
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Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- WE
- W&S
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Clos Saint-Jean Deus Ex Machina Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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La Colliere Rasteau 2011Rhone Red Blends from Rasteau, Rhone, France
- WS
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Domaine Santa Duc Aux Lieux Dits Gigondas 2011Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2011Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
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Calendal Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu 2011Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone, France
- WS
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Domaine Santa Duc Prestige des Hautes Garrigues Gigondas 2011Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Gerard Bertrand Languedoc 2011Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- WS
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Saxum Terry Hoage Vineyard 2011Rhone Red Blends from Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- WS
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Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Secret des Sabon 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Louis Bernard Crau Des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WE
- WS
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Force Majeure Collabortion Series II 2011Rhone Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WS
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Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Telegramme 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Tardieu-Laurent Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Chateau Ste. Eulalie Minervois La Liviniere La Cantilene 2011Rhone Red Blends from Minervois La Liviniere, Minervois, Languedoc, South of France, France
- WS
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Clos Saint-Jean Deus Ex Machina Chateauneuf-du-Pape (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS