The Rhone Red Grapes

See the Rhone White Grapes

Carignan (Carignane)

Carignan is grown throughout the world, with USA plantings in California, Oregon, Washington, Missouri, and Texas.

Cinsault (Cinsaut)

A high-yielding, early-ripening, hot-weather red grape, generally used in blends. Cinsault tends to be low in tannin, and is often added to blends to add a spicy component.

Counoise

Counoise may be an obscure grape in the United States, but it is a key component of many Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines.

Grenache

Probably the world’s most widely planted red grape, largely in France and Spain.

Mourvedre (Mataro)

Like Grenache, the Mourvèdre grape is probably Spanish (where it goes by the name Monastrell) in origin. Under the name Mataro (or no name at all), it has been part of California “field blends” for more than a century.

Muscardin

Muscardin is believed to be a clone the Mondeuse varietal of the Savoie region of France.

Syrah (Shiraz)

Syrah is the eight hundred pound gorilla of Rhône grapes. In the vineyard and the winery, Syrah is typically an easy grape to work with – healthy, early-ripening, resistant to mildew and rot, suitable for winemaking in a variety of styles.

Petite Sirah

Petite Sirah is a cross between the two grapes, Syrah and Peloursin, developed in France in 1880 by Dr. Francois Durif. Though not known to be grown anywhere in France today, it is grown in California and Australia.

Picpoul Noir

The red variant of the more common Picpoul Blanc, Picpoul Noir produces wines which are almost colorless, but high in alcohol.

Terret Noir

Terret Noir is a less well-known blending grape from the south of France.

Vaccarèse

Vaccarèse (known in the village of Chusclan as Camarèse) is a minor varietal found primarily in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where it is considered a relative of Cinsault and produces floral, tannic wines.

Classic Red Blends

Red Rhone grapes were born to blend – the exception here is almost NOT to blend them. Even syrah, the leader of the pack, is as likely to be blended as bottled as a single varietal.

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