Blending different wines together is certainly not a new trend, however, in recent years red blends have become one of the more popular wine varietals. Given their sudden surge in popularity, customers may be inclined to think that these wines are a new concept, however, red blends are nearly as old as wine itself!
In fact, Bordeaux, a classic red wine which dates back as late as the 18th century is rarely made from one style of grape, instead, it is usually a diversely populated blend of several grape varieties (usually Cabernet and Merlot, but others may be included). A good wine blend will bring out the exceptional flavors and qualities of each grape variety. Instead of overpowering each other, in a good red blend the flavors should work to balance themselves out and compliment one another. Bordeaux is a perfect example of this, but Bordeaux is just the beginning!
In the United States wines which are labeled as a certain variety, such as Merlot or Pinot Noir, must contain at least 75% of that grape. Anything less than 75% is considered to be a blend, leaving plenty of room for winemakers to experiment with varying percentages and styles. This flexibility breaks away from the stricter rules of non-blended wines, allowing winemakers to get a little extra creative.
This creativity is in part of what makes a red blend so approachable. Just a glance at the red blend section shows a diverse collection of wines, from wines which were aged in bourbon barrels or with coffee, to ones which are a blend of five different wines or some which are of only a few. The red blend’s wide range and versatility opens the door wide, inviting a larger audience of customers than most red wines can. Fans of Merlot or Pinot Noir can both enjoy a blend of the two instead of staying exclusively to one variety. Red blends are also more approachable to people who may not love red wine because they are so dynamic and not as intimidating as a traditional varietal. A red blend makes it simple to find a red wine with very specific flavors, from bold to lighter, often making it an easy introduction into the world of red wine.
As red blends grow in popularity so does our selection of them in our stores! All New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet locations offer a wide variety of red blends from all over the world. While you can’t go wrong with any of them, we do have a few favorites! Whether you are an old fan of red blends or have never tried one before, we recommend selecting one off our list below. Enjoy!
Recommended Red Blends:
