Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Winery
Monte Bello is first and foremost a wine of place. That place – high atop the Santa Cruz Mountains u
Rhone Blends are types of wines that are a blend of two or more grape varieties that originate from the Rhône Valley in Southern France. These blends typically involve any combination of over a dozen grape varieties but predominantly feature Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre (also known by the acronym GSM).
In the northern Rhone, Syrah is the only red variety allowed, often blended with a small amount of Viognier, a white grape to mitigate the Syrah's intense tannic structure. In the southern Rhone, Grenache takes precedence, followed by Syrah and Mourvèdre as well as others like Cinsault and Carignan.
The result of these blends is usually a full-bodied and flavorful wine that embodies a variety of aromatic profiles. You might experience hints of dark berry fruits, pepper spice, licorice, and earthy elements. The taste often exhibits a rich, lush fruitiness balanced with robust tannins and acidity. It can also be rather complex in composition due to the diversity of the grape varieties being used.
Rhone Blends are not just restricted to France but are also found in other parts of the world like Australia (where GSM blends are popular), California, and Washington in the United States. Each region brings a unique twist to the blend due to differences in climate and soil.