Choosing Between Varietals and Blended Wines

If you are a fairly new wine enthusiast, you may have noticed that some wines are made with one grape, while others are a blend of more than one. Is one type better than the other? Why are some grape types blended while others are not?

Varietals

The word ‘varietals’ basically means the type of grape used to make the wine. For example, a Merlot is made with the Merlot grape, a Cabernet Sauvignon is made with grapes of the same name. Learning the names of the varietals will help you figure out when a wine is a single or combined grape type.

The grape names are distinct for reds and whites. A few of the popular red varietals are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Shiraz to name a few. You’ll find these names often in most stores. But don’t think you are restricted to these types. There are over a hundred kinds of red grapes, many of which can be made into wine.

Some popular white wine grapes are: Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Reisling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chenin Blanc. Again, there are many more white grape varieties used in wines, so don’t feel shy to experiment trying new kinds.

Why Blend Wine Grape Types Together?

Some grape types compliment each other. Using two types can help bring out the good characteristics of one type while mellowing possible undesirable or overpowering characteristics of the other.

More than two types of wine can be included in a blend. Some can have up to eight types of grapes, all blended together to come up with an interesting and unique result.

High caliber wineries are increasingly taking advantage of blending varietals these days, with many special blends made for select customers. Blending grape types creates a whole new realm of interesting possibilities.