Important Rhône Grapes

Syrah

Without Syrah, the great Rhône Valley properties might have remained obscure forever. Syrah imparts elegance, structure, and longevity, as well as trademark flavors of spice, smoke, and berries. In warmer years, care must be taken to keep Syrah from becoming too ripe – but with the general increase in the quality of all Rhône wines recently, that rarely happens. Syrah is the only red grape allowed in the northern Rhône, and it is used in the best red wines of the southern Rhône as well. (And just for the record: Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape.)

Grenache

This fruity, friendly red grape is the basis for most southern Rhône wines. Until recently, wines made from 100% Grenache were rare; when produced by average winemakers, such wines can lack balance. Luckily, “average” is not a name that applies to the winemakers of the southern Rhône. Here, vignerons round out the soft Grenache fruit with other varieties (such as the more tannic Syrah), and often meticulously restrict vine yields to give the fruit more substance.

Mourvèdre

If Mourvèdre gets “gamey,” it’s not always a bad thing. This red grape sometimes develops subtle – and desirable – animal notes, resembling jerky or actual game meats. With age, these can turn into aromas of leather, truffles, and fresh mushrooms. Nowadays, long aging isn’t necessary; even young Mourvèdre is a treat in the hands of a skilled winemaker, especially as part of a Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre blend. The slightly savory Mourvèdre harmonizes beautifully with the ample fruit of Grenache and the structure and backbone of Syrah. The irresistible appeal of these perfectly balanced wines has made “G-S-M” the classic blend of the southern Rhône.

See a complete listing of grapes permitted in the Rhône Valley