Red Wine
Rhône Blend
In addition, Carignan, Cinsault, Counoise and a dozen other varieties come together to make superb Rhône Blend. In Châteauneuf-du-Papes 18 varieties can be blended into their wines, 9 red and 9 white.
Both red and white varieties can be blended to make red Rhône Blends.
Look out for the regions of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Rasteau, as well as the generically labelled, Côtes du Rhône, which can offer incredible value.
The Main Varieties
Grenache tends to be the dominant variety with the majority of the vineyard plantings in the Southern Rhône. It offers spice, perfume, and, juby, fruit. 100% Grenache wine can have an incredible delicacy and appear almost as elegant as the best red Burgundy.
Shiraz offers the blends opulence and generous fruit with its supple tannins.
Mouvèdre AKA Mataro gives structure, backbone, spice and earthiness to the blends.
The diversity of regions and varieties sprawling over such a large area yields an equal diversity of blends and styles.
Guigal’s Côtes du Rhône, a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre is one of the best known, best value Rhône Blends using fruit from a number of regions.
Château de Beaucastel, from is famous for consistently using all the permitted varieties in its top wine each year.
Château Rayas is 100% Grenache.
Rhône Blends from other parts of the world
Rhône Blends have been common throughout Australia, particularly the Barossa, and, have made a real come back over the last couple of decades. Century old vines of many of the varieties offering quality fruit for makers.
Australian winemakers have commonly blended Cabernet with Shiraz balancing the structure of Cabernet with the opulence of Shiraz.
In Priorat blends of Grenache (AKA Garnacha or Garnatxa) and Carignan (AKA Cariñena) are common.
