If you have never had blends in your repertoire, it’s time to broaden your horizons.
When you think of wine blends, most people believe that they’re mixtures of grapes that winemakers blend – similar to the ‘bitsa’ variety. (Blends have an issue in this regard).
However, if you enjoy wine and aren’t aware of blends, then you’re being left out.
Blending is a form of dividing up.
In contrast to a blend or blend, a traditional varietal such as the chardonnay and pinot noir is a wine that is made from the same grape. It is possible to purchase one variety that contains grapes of the same kind from different vineyards or other sorts of grapes. Still, it must be made up of a specific amount of a particular type of grape. For instance, in Australia, the single grape variety must contain 85 percent of the sort of grape (same the case in Argentina), 75 percent within the US, and 80% in Europe.
A wine is generally considered to be a blend if it is made up of between 40 and 70 percent of a particular type of grape and a lesser blend comprising two or more grapes based on the region.
The scientific genius
It is no secret that making blends is a scientific process. Blending is a method that winemakers have used for centuries to refine the taste and develop complex flavors that are appealing to all parts of the palate.
It’s a matter of the obsessed scientist, who constantly alters elements – like vintages, grapes, and storage conditions – making adjustments to increase the body, aromas, texture, finish, and color. A truly skilled blender discovers the best way to emphasize each grape’s strengths and blend its flavors with other varieties.
If done properly If done correctly, you will get an alcohol-free wine that is many times more than the totality of its components and is full of flavor. There are endless possibilities for blend.
Do you recognize yourself?
What’s your most preferred wine? Although your instinctual response might differ from a mix, you should be aware that many of the most well-known wines aren’t just one variety:
- Champagne – although it is possible to find one grape variety (Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs), champagne is usually made up of chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier, which can be combined in a range of conditions and techniques that result in an array of styles.
- Bordeaux – This well-known French wine is made by blending cabernet sauvignon and Merlot in different proportions.
- Chianti is the Italian wine immortalized through the lens of Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs, which usually includes Sangiovese canaiolo or Trebbiano.
- Port – Similar to champagne, you are able to officially refer to it as a port when it comes from a specific region in Portugal. In Australia, this type of wine is currently classified under a variety of labels, including “fortified” and “dessert” wine. A lot of official ports are made by blending five grape varieties – Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinto Cao.
Australia’s blends are a different thing.
The most popular blends that are found in Australia are Cabernet and Shiraz. Sauvignon. It is believed that Bortoli, Hardys, Penfolds, and Blue Pyrenees, as one would imagine, have turned blending into an art form. In fact, in 2017, Penfolds announced that it was creating the blend of three of its renowned Grange Shiraz vintages, which will be available to wine enthusiasts all around the world for $ 3,000 for a bottle. (Incidentally, Penfolds’ master maker Max Schubert was one of the pioneers of this country’s red blend.)
In recent years, the public has been more open to trying new wines, which has resulted in the enthralling experimentation and personal approach that Australia’s small-scale winemakers have adopted to blend. They make use of a wide, incredible array of fruits that are available all across the country, and they are experimenting with aging processes as well as storage systems. They are experimenting with their variations that are a variation of Bordeaux wine blends, which are breathtaking on their own.
If you are able, I’d recommend you to sample blends from Australia’s top winemakers, Wanted Man, Yarra Yering, Heathcote, Glowstone Wines, Evoi, and the 2018 Boutique Wine Show winners for the Best Bordeaux blend, as well as the Best Rhone or another red blend, Mandoon Estate (for their 2017 Cabernet Merlot) and Millbrook (for their 2016 Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre) and Millbrook, respectively.
Blend styles
If you are a fan, be sure to keep on your watch for new developments in the field of blending. The constant exploration of unique blends and changing conditions in the environment (terroir) is continuous innovation. For instance, it appears that Pinot Shiraz is making its comeback and is worth the time.
I’ve also heard of intriguing marriages that take place between Viognier and Fiano, global tempranillo and the Merlot and Shiraz, as well as gin and Shiraz!
Don’t believe anyone who says that you have to be knowledgeable to become familiar with every wine, not even blends. One good place to begin is when you purchase wine, take note of the kind of flavors you’re craving at this time and also what (if there are any) foods you’ll drink it with. After that, read the descriptions and, if you’re not sure, seek out suggestions.