Your world of wine isn’t complete without trying these popular blends. These unique blends are made from varieties that use a very specific technique that helps control a wine’s flavor and individuality. Making such wines requires a keen eye and palate. In order to stand out in a highly competitive arena, these blends are finished with perfection.
Champagne
No list is complete without some fizz. Surprisingly, this French staple is a blend. It requires grapes such as pinot meunier, chardonnay, and pinot noir. These varietals are married together to create a beautiful end result that’s often enjoyed with cheese platters and fruit.
The chardonnay grapes are responsible for that piquancy, the delicacy that forms the backbone of any good champagne. Champagnes can produce anything from a sweet to a very dry grape. Pinot noir is there to deliver aroma compounds and a fruity structure, while Pinot Meunier delivers a distinct bouquet.
Rioja
The Rioja region in Spain enjoys a celebrated reputation thanks to the Tempranillo grape that has been cultivated there for over 2,000 years.
You’ll also experience additions like Graciano, Mazuelo, and Garnacha that together make a robust, tempered wine that dances with fruity, floral notes. What makes Rioja wines such a fan favorite is that they age very well and compare to Bordeaux, but cost less. Enjoy your Rioja with a sumptuous red meat dish or cheese that can complement the wine’s rich flavors.
Chianti
Located in the idyllic Tuscany, Chianti is mostly crafted from Sangiovese and is usually married with white grapes such as Canaiolo Nero, and Trebbiano.
This Tuscan wine region is divided into seven zones. Each zone produces world-class grapes that are known for their bold fruity flavors like cherry and plum. Moreover, these grapes can offer more adventurous notes such as coffee and almonds.
Chianti is best served with generously seasoned dishes that include poultry, red meat, or pasta.
Read here more about Chianti >>
Port
Wrapping up a meal with a dessert wine is necessary for any good dinner party. Port is a strong blend of Portugal’s most indigenous varietals like Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca.
The result is a beautiful blend of warm, rich, and fruity flavors. Common flavors that can be found making their way into a bottle of a port are cinnamon, caramel, chocolate, raspberry, and strawberry.
Bordeaux
Red Bordeaux is classic and quintessentially French. This is a popular and prized grape that’s made with cabernet sauvignon and merlot. It has yet to see the introduction of more adventurous additions.
Bordeaux lies on the Gironde. This region creates a very special grape that’s slightly more acidic and contains a healthy dose of tannins. Powerful and more complex wines are seen coming from Left Bank Bordeaux. These wines complement a dish such as roast beef or rich cheeses like Roquefort. To the right bank are wineries that’ll use more merlot. Using this grape will create a silkier blend that needs less time to age.
Côtes du Rhône
Possibly the most famous and sought-after blend of them all would be the incomparable côtes du rhône. The region itself is known to produce a variety of wines that include whites and rosé. The most famous blend to date is most definitely the trio of delight: grenache, syrah, and Mourvedre.
The wine presents itself in northern fashion with more structure and dryer finishes. The southern blends are less robust and fruitier in taste. Your côtes du rhône will pair to perfection with chicken, salmon, pork, and vegetables.
Meritage
These French varieties of grapes are grown in the state of California as Bordeaux-style wines. A red Meritage will most likely use cabernet sauvignon, merlot, carmenère, St. Macaire, malbec, gros Verdot, or petit Verdot.
Meritage is beautifully versatile as a young wine, but also ages well. The rich and complex flavors of this blend make it a perfect choice for grilled meat, game, and goats cheese.
Priorat
Spain once again makes it onto the list with their dark horse, the Priorat blend. The rocky soils of this region add a concentrated flavor and an interesting mineral finish to the wine.
Typically, the region likes to marry Garnacha with syrah, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon. This blend becomes a magnificent product that pairs perfectly with spiced, hearty dishes.
Conclusion
Now that you have a better idea of what the most celebrated blends are, you can get planning. Your newly acquired knowledge needs to be shared with friends over a few bottles of wine and delicious food. A new world of flavor awaits.