Have you ever walked into a wine shop and your eyes open wide at the rows and rows of bottles? You’re not alone! The vast world of wine is filled with all sorts of interesting juice, but here at Jessup Cellars, we’re going to help you decode it one glass of wine at a time. Today’s question: ‘What is a red blend?’
Beyond the Single Grape: Unveiling the Red Blend
Unlike traditional single-varietal wines that come from one type of grape (such as Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc), red blends are made up of multiple varietals that contribute varying characteristics to create a wine that usually aims to achieve a more harmonious final product. Think of a symphony orchestra for example – while each instrument lends a different voice to the collective, together they produce a more glorious sound than one could achieve alone.
So, what exactly makes a good red blend? Here are some key ingredients:
- The All-Star Cast: It all starts with the quality of your grapes. Winemakers choose grape varietals that will work well together. Perhaps Cabernet Sauvignon will provide the wine’s backbone and structure, while Merlot adds softness and juicy fruit.
- The Art of the Blend: After fermentation, the juice is pressed and matured in barrels to develop. It is in between barrel and bottle when the winemaker can lean more into their artistry. They will often assemble a team of experts for blending trials, which are sessions filled with reflective tasting notes and percentages until the right combo is determined.
- A Touch of Terroir: Climate and soil composition in the earth contribute to how the grapes develop flavor, meaning that a ‘good’ blend of red wine varietals may come from a specific part of the world that cultivates the grapes grown to pair nicely together. For instance, Bordeaux, France is known for some of the most prestigious red blends in the world and has a special climate and soil ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc: the holy trinity of Bordeaux blends.
The Versatility of Red Blends: Beyond the Shelf
Red blends abolish creative boundaries and can be made in a way that allows for more approachable drinking in youthful vintages. Consider these…
- The Crowd-Pleaser: Many red blends are stylistically broad and fruit-forward with smooth tannins. They are great wines to open up with a group of friends or when you don’t know everyone’s palate well enough to make an informed selection. These blends are often lighter in weight and better suited to a range of dishes, from grilled pizzas to barbecued food.
- Big and Beautiful: Our advice re: ‘blend’ is not to think of it as some pale shadow of a single-varietal wine, especially if it’s a red blend. A large percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon or other similarly assertive varietals, and they’ll match up with a juicy, finger-lickin’ steak, a hefty stew or a casserole.
- Unexpected Delight: The world of red blends is ever-changing. Winemakers will always be experimenting with exciting combinations of grapes with various flavors, expanding the conception of what red blends can possibly achieve. This is a wonderful opportunity for curious wine drinkers to discover new horizons and explore new wine sensations.
Exploring the Red Blends at Jessup Cellars
At Jessup Cellars, we believe in making unique red blends that express its terroir. Red blends are exploratory, adventurous and perhaps the best way one can open their palate to the wonders of the wine world. With such a vast array of varietals, red blend possibilities are endless. Whether your palate prefers a structured, dry, ample with alcohol, extra-ripe, full-bodied, high-tannin and oak-forward style of wine or your palate enjoys layers of complexity, more delicate fruit flavors, enhanced elegance, finesse, and earthy flavors, red blends can provide you with multiple, vastly different expressions of the grape world. So, even when you get lost in the world of wine, know that we are one place you can return to for answers and continued exploration: JessupCellars.com! Cheers!