A good friend of mine at work asked me the other day if I buy blends. I said ‘Of course, and chances are, so do you’! He didn’t realize all wines from Bordeaux were blends. Many wines are blended, even if it only says a single varietal on a label. For example, if a wine from California says Cabernet Sauvignon, only 85% of that wine has to be Cabernet. Winemakers add little amounts of other grapes for complexity, diversity and flavor. Oregon has some of the strictest regulations in North America, the wine must contain 90% of the varietal on the label.
Here’s a new blend I have recently discovered and thoroughly enjoy. It’s the Corbieres Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre from Abbotts & Delaney. Corbieres is an appellation in the Langeudoc region of France. Normally, you’ll see GSM on the label (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre) but in this particular wine the Syrah is dominant. Wines from France can be tricky to buy for the average consumer, as it is normally labeled by region, and not varietal. But I think these guys were super smart and put the Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre on the label. This particular blend is spicy and smoky and full of flavor with peppery notes. I just love it.
Here’s another yummy blend, this time from California and under $20. Cupcake Red Velvet is a great name for this velvety delicious wine. A blend of some of my favorite grapes including Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Sirah. This rich opulent wine has flavors of ripe red fruits, chocolate and a hint of coconut. Each grapes adds richness, a distinct flavor and structure. Bring this baby to any BBQ and you will be the toast of the town.
Here’s a beauty from Canada. Sandhill has made this delicious blend of Cabernet and Merlot. Winemaker Howard Soon is coming to Halifax to speak and I can’t wait, I have a ticket. Here’s what he had to say about this wine!
Winemaker Notes:
“Our Sandhill Cabernet Merlot from our estate vineyard in Oliver is a smooth, well-balanced wine, with excellent fruit quality and good structure. This blend shows the classic synergies of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, which have proven successful all over the world.”
And the above wines are all wines from Bordeaux France. And although they don’t say the grape varietals on the labels, they are all blends. Either Cabernet Sauvignon dominant or Merlot dominant, one thing is certain, they are all blended.
Oh… and they are delicious too.
What’s your favorite blend. I would love to hear from you, and Wine – In My Opinion is also on Facebook, and this is where I share wine articles I have read that I want to pass along, and some humor as well. You can find the link here
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wine-In-My-Opinion/223994754407204
Thanks for coming along on the journey
Till next week, Cheers
Darlene
Wine-It’s Just My Opinion 