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Why are some wines blended?I N T E L L I G E N C E F O R T H E W I N E C O N S U M E RBY LEN NAPOLITANOBlending, when a winemaker mixes wines of different varieties orwines of the same variety from different vineyards or barrels, is acritical step in the process of making wine. The purpose of blendingis to create a more interesting wine. A winemaker may feel that theaddition of wine made from another grape will either fill in anyweaknesses of the primary grape or create a more complex wine, andconsequently, a more pleasing wine to drink.Perhaps the most famous blended red wine in the world isBordeaux, from France. It is a blend of two to five grapes, thedominant ones being Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The othergrapes that make up a red Bordeaux wine are Petit Verdot(contributes to color), Cabernet Franc (contributes to tannic structureProducingGold-MedalWinesSince 1979Tours, Tastings & Sales11am-4pmTWO FOR ONE TASTING WITH THIS AD(LOGO GLASS NOT INCLUDED)4160 Silverado Trail, Napa1-888-HAGAFEN(1-888-424-2336)www.hagafen.com • info@hagafen.comLearn more about wine!For past Wineology columns,scan the QR code with yoursmart phone applicationor go towww.WineCountryThisWeek.comand search “Wineology.”and richness of flavor) and Malbec (contributes to flavor).Merlot is often used to blend with Cabernet Sauvignon to helpsoften, or round out, the Cabernet Sauvignon, which can sometimescontain harsh-tasting tannins. Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is also apopular duo having complementary characteristics. The percentagebreakdown of the components that make up a blended wine aresometimes indicated on a label, but it is not required to do so forAmerican wines. In Australia, however, where the Cabernet/Syrahcombo is frequently found, label laws must show the percentages ofeach grape that make up a blend.Grapes that are used for blending purposes are chosen to eitheradd flavor, body, acidity, finish or aging potential. It is also possiblefor white wines to be made from a blend of grapes, such as SauvignonBlanc with Semillion, but white wine blends are usually less popularthan red blends.When producers in the United States make a blended wine usingthe same grapes that are used to make Bordeaux wine, they arepermitted to identify these wines as “Meritage” style wines (rhymeswith heritage). This is a unique, American term that may only beused on a wine label when the wine is blended from the Bordeauxgrapes mentioned above. If a non-Bordeaux grape, such as Zinfandel,is part of the blend, it is technically not a “Meritage” style wine.I find Meritage style wines to be among the very best of Californiared wines. They are elegant, layered with aromas and flavors and pairbeautifully with many meat dishes.Len Napolitano lives in San Luis Obispo County and is certified in wine by the Society of Wine Educators,Wine & Spirits Education Trust and Chicago Wine School and continually gains knowledge from his frequent contactwith California winemakers. More information is on his website, www.wineology.com.Send your questions about wine to: wineologist@earthlink.net or by mail to Len Napolitano in care ofWine Country This Week magazine. Wineology is a registered trademark of Len Napolitano.10Follow us on twitter @WineCountrytW