A Rhône-style blend can include several different grape varieties, each bringing something unique to the wine. Knowing which grapes are in the bottle can give you a better idea of the flavors and characteristics to expect.
A few minutes with the grapes makes the next choice easier, whether it is a dinner party bottle or a gift. Levo Vineyard, a boutique winery in Paso Robles, makes small-batch Rhône wines online as well as in its Tin City tasting room.
Key Takeaways
- Understand what each grape brings to a Rhône-style wine so you know what to look for on the label.
- Try Grenache and Syrah side by side and see which flavors appeal to you most.
- Get a better sense of which Rhône-style wines pair well with your favorite meals.
How Does Levo Vineyard Approach Rhône-Style Blends?
At Levo Vineyard, Syrah, Grenache, and Petite Sirah are at the heart of its small-batch Rhône-style wines. With an estate vineyard in the Willow Creek District, Levo takes a different approach from vintage to vintage, letting the vineyard’s growing conditions and character influence each blend rather than sticking to a set formula.
Levo knows small-batch red blends can feel like a locked room, because experimental blending is part of what the winery does. Its estate vineyard covers 17 acres inside a larger oak forest, and each release is limited in quantity. Levo calls each wine a liquid story, which makes a good test for any blend: it should tell you something about where it grew.
Which Grapes Go Into a Rhône-Style Blend?
Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre are the foundation of many red Rhône-style blends. Often called GSM, these three grapes bring different qualities to the wine, while varieties like Cinsault or California’s Petite Sirah may be added for extra character. White Rhône-style blends take a different approach, combining grapes such as Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and Viognier to create a balance of flavor, texture, and aroma.
| Grape | Role in the blend |
| Grenache | Fruit and warmth |
| Syrah | Depth and color |
| Mourvèdre | Structure and savory notes |
| Petite Sirah | Density and tannin |
| Grenache Blanc | Body and freshness in white blends |
In the southern Rhône, appellations such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape allow blending multiple grape varieties in a single wine. That tradition of blending for balance is what Rhône-style producers elsewhere borrow.
How Do You Taste the Difference Between Blends?
Pour a Grenache-led wine next to a Syrah-led one and compare color, fruit, and grip, because that pairing teaches more in two sips than a grape chart does. Grenache is lighter, with red berry fruit and softer tannins, while Syrah is darker and firmer, with blackberry and black pepper.
Grenache vs. Syrah: What Should You Notice?
Start with color, then fruit, then grip. Petite Sirah, which Levo also grows, has Syrah in its parentage and adds dense color and tannin to a blend.
How Do Paso Robles Rhône Wines Compare With French Ones?
Paso Robles Rhône wines come from a far younger wine region than France’s Rhône Valley, with its own soils and climate. In Willow Creek, one of the 11 sub-districts of the Paso Robles AVA, chalky, calcareous soil and cooler, marine-influenced conditions give blends with generous fruit and a savory, mineral edge.
Local winemakers often credit that combination for preserving natural acidity in a warm, dry region.
What Should You Pair With a Rhône-Style Blend?
Rhône-style blends pair well with roasted lamb, grilled sausages, herb-roasted chicken, ratatouille, and aged cheeses, because ripe fruit, spice, and moderate tannin suit savory, herb-driven dishes. Serve reds slightly below room temperature, around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, to keep the fruit lively.
- Lamb or roast beef: reach for a Syrah-led blend with firmer tannin.
- Chicken, sausages, or ratatouille: a Grenache-led blend with softer tannin keeps the pairing lighter.
- Aged cheeses and charcuterie: most red blends work, served slightly cool.
How Do You Choose the Right Blend for Your Table?
When shopping for a Paso Robles red blend, it’s worth asking a couple of questions. Which grape makes up most of the blend? How many bottles did the winery produce? The grape varieties can give you an idea of the wine’s flavor, while the production size tells you a little more about the release.
Choosing a Paso Robles red blend comes down to what you enjoy drinking and what you plan to serve with it. If you’re unsure where to start, ask for a recommendation or sample a few wines during a tasting. Richer, full-bodied blends pair nicely with steak or grilled meats, while softer reds can work well with lighter dishes. A little exploring can help you find a bottle that suits your taste and the occasion.
Taste or Order Levo’s Rhône Wines
- Order online: Shop Levo’s Rhône wines or join the wine club
- Taste in person: Levo Vineyard, 2975 Limestone Way, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (Tin City)
- Hours and reservations: Confirm on Levo’s experience page before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
What does GSM mean in wine?
GSM stands for Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, the red grapes behind many southern Rhône blends. The abbreviation shows up on labels from California to Australia, so it is a useful shorthand when you are shopping for a blend you have not tried.
Are Rhône-style blends dry?
Yes, Most Rhône-style red blends are dry, even though they can taste a little sweet because of their ripe, fruity flavors. That richness comes from the grapes, not added sugar. So even if the wine tastes juicy or fruit-forward, it’s still considered dry.
What is the difference between a Rhône blend and a Bordeaux blend?
Rhône blends center on Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, which tend to give spice and generous fruit. Bordeaux blends center on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which tend to give firmer tannin and darker, cedar-like notes. Both are blends, built from different grapes with different personalities.
Should I decant a Rhône-style blend?
A young, tannic blend often benefits from 30 to 60 minutes in a decanter, which softens the grip and lets the fruit open. Older bottles need less air and more care, so pour gently and taste along the way to decide.
Where can I buy small-batch Rhône wines online?
Levo Vineyard sells its small-batch Rhône wines through its own online store, which carries limited releases from Paso Robles so that you can practice the lesson at home. Wine club members also receive early access to new releases.
Ready to find out? Shop Levo’s Rhône wines online, or stop by the Tin City tasting room if you would rather taste first.
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