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Beloved blends
Why red blends are loved worldwide
by TARRAH CASTERLINE
Much like a little black dress, red blend wines never fall out of style. A favorite of wine drinkers because they offer balance, depth and a little intrigue, red blends are most often made up of two or more black and red grape varieties. This mixture of grape combinations allows winemakers to showcase their art and their love for the grapes. From red blends featuring fruit-forward merlots to those starring full-bodied cabernet sauvignons, there’s sure to be one to suit your taste.
How do you pick your favorite blends? Try as many as you can, because while winemakers from different parts of the world may use the same grape combinations, the results will be different due to the climate, the soil the grapes are grown in and how the wines are blended.
Red blend flavor profiles can be extremely bold or subtle. For example, blends heavy with cabernet grapes will be savory and full of body, with a hint of spice. Blends with a higher percentage of merlot may be silky and smooth.
The types of grapes used in blends vary by region. A Rioja wine, from its namesake region in Spain, will commonly be composed of tempranillo, graciano and garnacha grapes, which have a smooth, fruity flavor. Red Bordeaux wine from Bordeaux, France, may have a mixture of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot varietals, and will be more medium-bodied. Most red blends from the U.S. are plush and fruit-forward.
This is just a small sample of the extensive options afforded by red blends. Sample a multitude of brands and styles to find the ones you truly love.
Heart holiday
If you plan to uncork a bottle of red wine this Valentine’s Day, you’ll be keeping up with the holiday’s heart theme. According to the Mayo Clinic, if consumed in moderation (one glass for women, two for men), red wine can be considered heart healthy. It contains antioxidants that may increase levels of “good” cholesterol and protect against cholesterol buildup. This in turn may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks.—Katie Coleman
Costco Connection: A variety of red blend wines can be found in select Costco warehouses.
Tarrah Casterline is a Costco wine, beer and liquor buyer in the Texas region
