Red blend wine outsells such stalwarts as Pinot Noir and Merlot in the U.S., but many people still don’t know what exactly a red blend is. If you’re among that group, allow us to break it down for you. Wine is made from grapes and each of those grapes has a varietal name. So Merlot is a specific grape variety, as is Cabernet Sauvignon. Of course, it’s possible to includeRed blend wine outsells such stalwarts as Pinot Noir and Merlot in the U.S., but many people still don’t know what exactly a red blend is. If you’re among that group, allow us to break it down for you. Wine is made from grapes and each of those grapes has a varietal name. So Merlot is a specific grape variety, as is Cabernet Sauvignon. Of course, it’s possible to include more than one type of grape in a wine, and that’s when you get a blend. Red blends are more common than you might think. Since they give the winemaker a larger element of control than just a single varietal, they have long been used in the winemaking world. Bordeaux, Chianti, and Rhône Valley wines are just a few examples of red blends, and the rise of varietal naming only became the norm when California became a major player in wine back in the 1970s and ‘80s. ...more ...less
Since all wine varietals have different expressions - think about the difference between delicate, aromatic Pinot Noir and powerful, spicy Shiraz - blending them together gives the finished wine a profile that can’t be achieved with a single variety alone. In Bordeaux, tannic, dark-fruited Cabernet Sauvignon is rounded by the lushness of Merlot, darkened by the deep coloring of Petit Verdot, and enlivened by the spice of Malbec. In thisSince all wine varietals have different expressions - think about the difference between delicate, aromatic Pinot Noir and powerful, spicy Shiraz - blending them together gives the finished wine a profile that can’t be achieved with a single variety alone. In Bordeaux, tannic, dark-fruited Cabernet Sauvignon is rounded by the lushness of Merlot, darkened by the deep coloring of Petit Verdot, and enlivened by the spice of Malbec. In this way, red blends can be more than the sum of their parts. Red blends can also be a place for experimentation. How does Zinfandel interact with Zweigelt? Throw them together and find out! Some combinations work better than others, of course, but as wine becomes more global, the introduction of different cultivars can sometimes elevate the qualities of indigenous grapes. The Bolgheri region of Italy saw the introduction of French Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends that really highlighted the native Sangiovese and the area now produces some of the world’s best (and most expensive) red wine blends. We offer a variety of red wine blends in a range of styles, from sweet and luscious to bold and structured - when you get into blends, the sky’s the limit! ...more ...less
