Winemakers can create compelling flavor profiles with blended wines, as they offer more control over flavor. It may surprise you to learn some of the most popular wine choices are blends. A blended red or white wine uses more than one varietal, or type of grape.
During the winemaking process, vintners may experiment with combinations of different barrels, vineyards or grapes as they create new blends. One varietal serves as the main anchor for the wine, and at least one other varietal tweaks the outcome. The resulting blended wine is more complex and interesting as it pulls in characteristics from multiple varietals.
Blended wines can provide out-of-this-world flavors, textures and aromas, especially if you know what to look for. They offer ample room for experimentation and creativity, producing stunning results. Below, we’ll discuss well-known types of red wine blends and types of white wine blends.
What Is Wine Blending?
First, you’ll need to know what a wine blend is. A blended wine’s definition is quite simple. Vintners make blended wines from different types of grapes — the only qualification of a blended wine is that it contains more than one grape type, also known as varietals. Use that quality to distinguish between blended and non-blended wines. If it’s made from only one varietal, it’s non-blended.
Non-blended wines are most prevalent — the wine you buy is often composed of one grape type. Popular non-blended wines include dark, dry merlots as well as chardonnays. Grapes of the same varietal might come from different areas, but that does not make the resulting wine a blend. Note that unless a bottle indicates grapes are from only one vineyard, they may originate from many different locations.
National laws also allow winemakers to include up to a certain percentage of other varietals in their non-blended wines. So your single-varietal wine may include a small portion of another grape. Though non-blended wines are delicious and popular for good reason, their complexity is almost completely limited to one type of grape, while blends can be much more nuanced.
Various grapes add unique flavors to blended wines. By experimenting with multiple varietals, winemakers can construct new wines with intricate complexities and satisfying characteristics, catering to specific tastes. The concept behind a blended wine is both scientific and aesthetic. For instance, if a certain red wine has one attribute and another red wine has a complementary attribute, the two may work well together. The resulting blend would share characteristics of each red wine. Even still, it becomes a unique standalone product.
How Do Vintners Create Blended Wine?
You’ll find there are several types of wine blends. The process is more involved than mixing two grapes together and hoping for the best. Instead, vintners take the time to conceptualize which wines will blend best with one another. They use meticulous experimentation to create compelling combinations.
Ideal wine blend types are more than the sum of their parts. Winemakers evaluate every little element about the grapes they include, as well as storage and fermenting options. They take note of flavor components like earthiness, fruitiness and spice to make the best mixtures. They also have to decide when to start experimenting — right after fermentation, several months after the harvest or a few years after harvest. All of these decisions will affect the resulting flavor profile.
Do Blended Wines Have a Base Wine?
Most blended wines have a distinguishable base wine with other varietals creating flavor distinctions. Winemakers have to remember and preserve the original wine’s integrity. For instance, a winemaker crafting a cabernet blend can play with flavors and stylization until the wine no longer resembles a cabernet. When that happens, they’ll have to retract some changes and increase the base wine’s percentage in the mixture.
In this battle of precision, a winemaker might change only one or two percent of the wine blend at a time, testing and tasting all along the way. These tiny variations can have a marked impact on flavor and effect.
The vintner may experiment with dozens of blends using multiple varietals, each a slight change from the last, until they find the one that works best. Once they arrive at a desirable combination, they’ll mix the barrels together into a blending tank. They then might age the wines further before bottling.
How Does a Wine Blending Tank Work?
Winemakers find the right blended wine combinations using only a few drops. Once they decide on a blend, they have to create it in larger quantities, making a blending tank useful. A blending tank is a more technical piece of equipment than you might assume. Some blending tanks release bursts of compressed air, carbon dioxide or nitrogen up through the tank’s bottom, creating the wine blend quicker. Using the blending tank, the vintner can also mix in chosen additives to complete the finished product. Some common additives include:
- Sulfur: Increasing sulfur content helps kill undesired bacteria and yeast during the winemaking process.
- Yeast: Different varieties of yeast alter the fermentation and affect the resulting wine flavor.
- Vitamins: Vitamins help maintain the desired yeast content during the fermentation process.
- Tannins: Tannin content also affects a wine’s flavor and overall impact. Tannins are what can make your mouth feel dry after taking a sip of wine.
- Sugar: You might think added sugar makes the wine sweeter — that’s not the case. Yeast consumes sugar during fermentation, so added sugar increases the final alcohol content. The process of adding sugar is termed “chaptalization.”
These are just a few additive examples vintners use to perfect their wines. After the wine blending is complete, the winemaker has to analyze samples. They’ll check for alcohol content, pH, acid concentration, sugar levels and other factors. They’ll then store the wine and often test it again, potentially allowing it to age further, as well. At the end of this process, they’ll designate, name and sell their blended wine.
Can Any Grapes Make Blended Wine?
At this point, you might be wondering if any grapes can contribute to a blended wine. You may have a favorite varietal and hope to try blends based around it. But certain grapes would make for an undesirable combination. Some varietals overpower the flavor unless used in minuscule amounts. As you explore blended wine varieties, you’ll find some grapes are almost never part of blends and for several reasons.
Not all grapes make for effective blended wines. If you love a rich, dry bottle of pinot noir, for instance, and are looking for a blend that uses this varietal, you’ll soon realize this is uncommon. Because the pinot noir grape takes a gentle touch and specific climate to thrive, most vintners who invest in blending shy away from the grape. Sensitive grapes like these are not often included in blends.
What Is a Blended Wine Called?
What a wine blend is called often has little to do with its properties. Blended wine names are quirky and creative, but they may not tell you much about the wine itself. A little research then comes into play. If you’re looking for a blend you’ll enjoy, you might choose an option from a wine region you prefer, such as the Napa Valley of California or Eastern France’s Burgundy region.
Once you’ve chosen a region, you can start investigating the flavors promised in its blended wines. You’ll likely discover some white and red blends that match your desired wine taste.
What Is a Red Blend Wine?
You can find both red and white wine blends, though reds are more prevalent. So, what is blended red wine? In simple terms, a red blend wine is made from more than one red grape. This definition leaves room for a lot of different red wine blends. Vintners design their new red wines using meticulous grape combinations in exact proportions, as detailed above. Now that you know what a blended red wine is, you’ll need to know how to identify one when you see it.
What Is a Red Wine Blend Called?
To recognize various red blends, you’ll need to know what a red blend wine is known as. Any wine with multiple red grapes fits this description, so names will vary. When facing an aisle of reds, it can be challenging to tell which are single varietals and which are blends. You’ll likely need to turn to the labels.
Sometimes, blended wines will have labels indicating which varietals they include, down to the percentages. Some bottles may read “red blend,” which means they feature multiple red grapes. The label may have shorthand denoting which varietals it includes. If a label reads “CMS Blend,” this wine includes cab, merlot and syrah varietals. If the label names no specific varietals, you may be able to use the region designated as a clue since certain grapes derive from certain regions.
A red blend wine description might include terms like full-bodied, rich and round, a flavor profile connoisseurs often expect from a red. The red wine blend names may not be familiar at first, but as you begin to explore the world of blended wines, you will start to notice them in stores and restaurants. Once you know what a red blend is and how to find one, you can start experimenting with different blends to find your favorites.
What Is a Red Blend Wine Made Of?
As mentioned above, red wine blends can include any red grapes. Some of the more popular and famous red grape examples include zinfandel, sauvignon, cabernet and merlot, each of which can contribute to a delicious blend. You’ll find no simple answer to the question “What is in a red blend wine?” as this category encompasses so many options.
What Is a White Blend Wine?
As you might expect, a white blend wine is any wine with more than one white grape in its final product. A white blend wine description might include words like velvety, luscious, subtle or sweet, depending on its elements. Red blend wines may be more prevalent, but white blend wines are often delightful to enjoy.
What Is a White Wine Blend Called?
White wine blend names, like those for red wines, depend on the included grapes. Some well-known white blends include white Bordeaux, white Rioja and some white château varieties. As you would with red wine blends, you’ll have to take a good look at the bottle’s label to discern whether the wine is a single varietal or a blend. You can then determine what varietals it includes. Look for blend shorthand designations or use the region of origin as a hint for which varietals it incorporates.
What Are Some Popular Red Wine Blends and White Wine Blends?
If you’re new to the world of blended wines, you might find yourself unsure where to start. To help your search, consider red and white blend recommendations, depending on your personal taste. Whether you favor your wine dry, sweet, full-bodied, light-bodied or something in between, plenty of delicious options are available.
What Is a Good Red Wine Blend?
Red wine blends are often sophisticated and romantic. Most red wine blends have a distinctive anchor wine, but their tastes vary with additional complementary wines. Regardless of your taste preferences, you can find red wine blends to satisfy your palate. Consider the recommendations below for dry, sweet, full-bodied and light-bodied red blend wines.
What Is a Red Wine Blend for Fans of Dry Wine?
Dry and semi-dry wines pair well with many dining options and earn a dignified place at the table. Great examples of semi-dry popular red wine blends are those that start with malbec. Malbec grape blend well with other varietals like merlot or cabernet sauvignon. The result is a wine in the Bordeaux style. Blends that begin with malbec as a base are often smooth-tasting, yet they retain plenty of the added varietals’ features.
Other dry red wine blends include red Bordeaux, featuring a merlot base and Super Tuscan. This blend also uses merlot and the Spanish Rioja. You might also prefer a glass of Chianti, popular among dry red blends.
From the Chianti region of Tuscany, these wines pair well with pasta, cheese and meat, making an excellent addition to an Italian-style dinner. Many think Chianti is a varietal wine, but it’s actually a red blend. It’s found on tables and in wine cellars across America, although many wine drinkers are unaware there’s more than one variety of grape in their glasses.
What Is a Red Wine Blend for Fans of Sweet Wine?
If you prefer a sweeter taste, you have plenty of options. You’ll find many types of sweet red blend wine, which can produce a lovely flavor experience by itself or alongside a meal. For instance, you might try a sweet red zinfandel. Zinfandel varietals are versatile — when picked early, zinfandel grapes make a crisp, white wine. For a red zinfandel, the grapes grow much riper and sweeter before harvesting, creating a fuller-bodied product. The entire grape, skins included, contribute to the fermentation process, producing a rich, red coloration.
You can also find sweet blends of merlot, catawba, enantio and other varietals. If you know you prefer wine from a certain region or with a particular varietal, explore blends with those elements. Browse sweet red blend options to find those that cater to your personal taste.
What Is a Red Wine Blend for Fans of Full-Bodied Wine?
Full-bodied wines, sometimes called “brut,” have high alcohol content and create a “full” mouth feel. They complement rich, fatty foods like steak and pasta. If you prefer a full-bodied red wine, you can find many blend options. Red zinfandels often fit a full-bodied classification.
Another option is cabernet sauvignon-based wine. One of the most well-recognized grapes, cabernet sauvignon grows in almost every major wine-producing nation. It has thick, durable skin, resistant to the elements. It’s suitable for a wide variety of climates, meaning it can commonly appear in red wine blends.
What Is a Red Wine Blend for Fans of Light-Bodied Wine?
Light-bodied wines, as you might suspect, have lower alcohol contents and sit lighter in the mouth. You can find delicious light-bodied red wines using many different varietals. If you prefer wines with lower alcohol content, you might try a blend with a pais base, a prominent Chilean red wine grape.
What Is a Good White Wine Blend?
Like red blends, white wine blends use a base wine mixed with other varietals to emphasize and buoy its flavor. Here are some of the best white wine blends depending on dry, sweet and other flavor preferences. Try a few white blends to find your favorite.
What Is a White Wine Blend for Fans of Dry Wine?
You’ll find plenty of dry white wine blend options incorporating different varietals. If you love a bottle of chardonnay, you might also enjoy a white Burgundy, otherwise known as “Bourgogne blanc.” A white Burgundy, from its namesake region in East-Central France, has a chardonnay base, with added varietals of aligoté, pinot gris or pinot blanc for a distinct flavor.
Another option is a white Rhone from Southern France’s Rhone Valley region. A white Rhone is a complex blend, including about six different white wine types. You could also consider a white Bordeaux, which features the flavors of sauvignon blanc, mixed with semillon and muscadelle varietals. If you enjoy dry white wines, you’ll appreciate white Burgundy, Rhone and Bordeaux blends.
What Is a White Wine Blend for Fans of Sweet Wine?
You can find sweet white blends from a range of different varietal bases, including riesling, moscato, aurore and many others. Some common sweet white blends include most moscato wines, which often feature bright fruit flavors and sensory floral notes. A moscato might be a single varietal or include other grapes in a blend. You can find moscatos with fruit flavors like strawberry, raspberry or pineapple. If you’re looking for a delicious sweet white blend, moscatos offer a great place to start.
You can also find sweet riesling-based whites. Riesling wines from Europe’s Mosel River Valley contain subtle mineral flavors because they grow alongside thin slate stones. The stones reflect and retain heat, allowing the grapes to ripen despite the area’s cool climate. This growing process contributes to a unique, complex flavor.
What Is a White Wine Blend for Fans of Full-Bodied Wine?
Popular full-bodied white blends include chardonnay-based blends, like a dry white Burgundy. You can also find delicious full-bodied blends with viognier bases or combinations of sauvignon blanc, semillon and muscadelle. Look for these varietals and full-bodied designations on white wine labels to find a full-bodied white blend.
What Is a White Wine Blend for Fans of Light-Bodied Wine?
Many white wine blends fit into the light-bodied category. Harvesting for white wine grapes often occurs early in the ripening process, when the fruits have less sugar, and higher sugar content makes for richer alcohol fermentation. If you’re looking for a light-bodied white wine blend, you’ll have many options to choose from. Most sauvignon blanc wines are light-bodied, as are some pinot grigios and chardonnays. Try blends with these varietals for white, light-bodied wines.
Browse Marketview Liquor Wine Blends
Blended wines are the result of winemaking magic. Vintners combine different grapes to create something original and new, playing with flavors, additives, aging and storage options. Every bottle of blended red or white wine is the result of a meticulous testing and tasting process. Enjoy those efforts with blended wine options at home from Marketview Liquor.
With Marketview Liquor, you’ll receive free shipping on six or more bottles of select wines. You can also test several wines and earn a mix-and-match case discount on eligible bottles. We’re happy to help you make exciting discoveries and thrill your dining guests by trying new wines. Browse our selection of red wine blends or white wine blends and have them delivered right to your door.