The world of blends

We have always said the art of blending wine is the hallmark of a great winemaker. In today's wine world for reasons from economics to the goal of differentiating one's offerings it is truer than ever. There are many differences in blended wines based on appellation, style and any number of other factors, so for wine consumers here are some things to look for as you decide which of the blends is best for you.

Even if you are currently selecting wines that state a varietal on the label like Cabernet Sauvignon or Sauvignon Blanc, you may be drinking a blended wine. The rules that govern winemaking here in the states don't require that a blend be disclosed if the main grape is 75 percent or above. At the 75 percent level they can label the wine by that varietal, ie abernet Sauvignon. While most winemakers are proud to talk about their blends some prefer to not disclose them so you may already be drinking a blended wine.

One of the major types of blends is a field blend. Ridge Winery in California uses this designation as much as any winery I am aware of. A field blend, sometimes called a vineyard blend, is made into wine based on the selection of grape varietals planted in that particular vineyard. The label will then bear the name of the vineyard. In the case of Ridge it would say Geyserville or Lytton Springs for example, below that it would list the different varietals planted in that field or vineyard and the percentages would be based on what was harvested that year to make up the blend.

Another interesting difference in blends between those made in Washington and the ones from California is price point. While there are always exceptions we have found that many times in Washington state blends are made from the wine left after a winery bottles its 100 percent varietal selections. This allows the winery to bottle and market blends at very compelling prices. When a winemaker blends wine they are doing so to extenuate the positive aspects and mitigate the negative ones in the raw material they are working with, so while in the case of these "entry level" blends they may be inexpensive but it by no means makes the wine inferior. Rather it simply provides consumers an opportunity to enjoy a compelling drink at a more compelling price!

In California the philosophy differs somewhat as winemakers will bottle 100 percent varietal selections and market them at a lower price point (unless they are "reserve" wines). They then start their blending trials and come up with blends that are marketed at higher prices as they feel the wines are more sophisticated and refined than their pure varietal selections.

Again there are always exceptions like the Terra Blanca Onyx made in Benton City, Wash. This Bordeaux-based blend is the flagship of the Terra Blanca lineup and priced like it, which is fully justified as the wine is one of the best they offer every year. Similarly the Skylark Red Belly is priced on the lower end of their portfolio providing consumers a great price point to gain access to their fabulous Rhone portfolio with this blend of varietals that did not make it into their higher-end bottling.

One final note on blended wines, when winemakers are preparing blends they go through a series of blending trials. These trials are similar to a chef checking seasoning and the like as they assemble a recipe. Done right from the barrel winemakers will combine the different mixtures of varietal wine keeping notes on the flavor profiles and percentage of each wine they add. It is a lengthy process with several attempts and certainly more than a couple of failures. The final blend that is then completed by adding the components to a large stainless steel tank prior to bottling is what leads to the percentage listed on the label. A cautionary note for consumers as you start to read about blends on labels and in tasting notes, rarely do the blends work out to even percentages, so you may want to question your favorite wine professional a little more deeply when you fins a blend of 50 percent, and two other lots of 25 percent each or a wine blend of 4 components each with 25 percent. Just like cooking things simply don't work out in even numbers like that very often.

For consumers blended wines offer a great opportunity both in price and in quality, however it is always good to know the trade offs and your own wine consuming goals when selecting the blend that is right for you. As wine professionals we all stand ready to help make the right selection.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.

George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party - a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo and writes frequently for the online version of Coeur d'Alene Magazine at www.cdamagazine.com. You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.