History of Blending
The art of wine blending, or the combining of different grape varieties or wine lots to create a final product, has deep historical roots that go back millennia. Ancient civilizations, including the Romans, were known to blend wines, not only to achieve the desired flavor profiles but also to ensure the wine's stability during transportation.
In the Middle Ages, merchants mixed wines from different regions as they traded across continents. This was not only for taste but also to ensure consistency in their offerings and to maximize their profits. By the 17th and 18th centuries, as winemaking techniques improved and regional specialties became more defined, blending became an essential part of the winemaking process, especially in regions like Bordeaux and Champagne in France.
Traditional Regions and Their Blends
Bordeaux, France: Probably the most famous blended wine region in the world, Bordeaux primarily merges Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, among others. The left bank Bordeaux wines usually have a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, while the right bank wines tend to be dominated by Merlot.
Champagne, France: This iconic sparkling wine can be a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Blending in Champagne is vital to maintain the consistent house style of renowned Champagne producers.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France: A region where blending is taken to an extreme, with up to 13 different varieties permitted in the blend. The primary grapes are Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
Tuscany, Italy: Here, the famous Super Tuscan wines might blend indigenous Sangiovese with international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Port, Douro Valley, Portugal: The sweet fortified wine known as Port is often a blend of several indigenous varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Franca.
Why Blending?
There are several reasons why wines are often blended. Some of them are:
Balance and Complexity: By combining grapes with different flavor profiles and structural components, winemakers can create wines that are more balanced and complex than single varietal offerings.
Consistency: Blending allows winemakers to achieve a consistent house style year after year, even when individual grape varieties may underperform due to weather or other variables.
Enhance Aroma and Flavor: Some grape varieties have incredible aromas but may lack in body or finish. When combined with others, they can produce a wine that's the best of all worlds.
Economic Reasons: Occasionally, if a particular grape variety hasn't yielded well in a season, blending can help fill volume gaps.
In conclusion, wine blending is both an art and a science, combining the historical practices of old with the innovations of today. The goal remains consistent across millennia: to produce a wine that delights the senses and captures the essence of a place and time.