Famous Wine Blends You Should Know

Blending is a popular winemaking technique that allows winemakers to fine-tune their wines by building up layers of flavor, resulting in a harmonious creation of wine blends that are more than the sum of their parts.

Think of it like music. A violin solo may be a beautiful showcase of an individual instrument, but you can create a richer sound from an orchestra. The same is true for wine—the more grapes a winemaker has at their disposal, the greater the opportunity to make magic from their harvest each year, with each grape bringing something valuable to the blend.

10 Famous Wine Blends to Try

Many of the world’s most celebrated wines are blends. Here are ten you should know about:

Bordeaux

Perhaps the world’s most famous red blend is Bordeaux. Bordeaux wines are known for their complexity, balance and ability to age well.

They are made from a combination of grape varieties traditionally grown in the Bordeaux region in southwestern France. The four main grapes used in the blend are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, although Argentine favorite Malbec and Carménère are also permitted.

The renowned French wine region is naturally divided by the Gironde estuary. On the gravel soils of the Left Bank, Cabernet Sauvignon is king, but it relies on Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc to play important supporting roles within its age-worthy blends, which display complex notes of black currant, graphite and cedar. The Right Bank shines a light on Merlot—often combined with Cabernet Franc to create plush, elegant reds with a velvety texture.

The proportions of each grape variety in a Bordeaux blend can vary depending on the winemaker’s style, the vintage conditions and the specific region where the wine is produced. The Bordeaux style of winemaking and the grape varieties used in Bordeaux blends have inspired winemakers worldwide. As a result, you can find Bordeaux-style blends produced in many wine regions, including California, Australia, South Africa and Chile.

Rioja

Divided into three key sub-regions—Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental—this celebrated region in the north of Spain has a long tradition of blending red wine. Tempranillo is the dominant grape variety in Rioja blends, bringing aromas of strawberry, spice and leather to the table. Two more local grapes—Graciano and Mazuelo—are worthy supporting acts, giving notes of mulberry, violet and licorice.

In Rioja Oriental, Garnacha stars in blends known for their pretty perfume and raspberry and black pepper notes, making them a delicious match for lamb cutlets and red meats.

The oak-aging process is a crucial component of Rioja wines, contributing to their complexity, structure and flavor profile. American oak barrels are often used, imparting notes of vanilla, coconut and spices to the wines.

Champagne

While it may be associated with fun and frivolity, Champagne is a complex wine that requires high levels of skill to craft. The cellar masters in the famous French region pay forensic attention to detail during the blending process to create a harmonious fizz bearing the hallmark of their house.

With the exception of blanc de blancs, blanc de noirs and single-vineyard expressions, the majority of Champagnes are made from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Each grape adds something important to the blend, with Chardonnay bringing elegance and freshness, Pinot Noir power and structure and Pinot Meunier a bright fruit flavor.

Cava

This Spanish sparkling wine takes its name from the ‘caves’ where it’s aged, rather than the region where the grapes are grown. Cava can be made all over Spain, although most wines hail from the northern region of Penedès, near Barcelona.

It’s produced in the same way as Champagne, with secondary fermentation taking place inside the bottle. Cavas are made from a trio of native Spanish white grapes: Macabeu, Parellada and Xarel·lo, but Chardonnay can make a cameo. Each of the grapes offers something distinctive to the blend, with Macabeu bringing floral aromas, Parellada finesse and Xarel·lo aging potential.

Chianti Classico

Distinguished by the black rooster on its labels, Chianti Classico hails from the Italian region of Tuscany and must contain at least 80% of the native red grape Sangiovese within the blend. The remaining 20% can be made up of a combination of Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. White grapes, such as Trebbiano, were once permitted in Chianti Classico but were banned in 2006.

Chianti Classico is considered the highest quality offering from the Chianti region. The wines are admired for their refreshing acidity and elegant notes of sour cherries, violets, plums and spice, making them a versatile food partner for tomato-based dishes like lasagne.

Super Tuscans

While most Tuscan blends make a hero of Sangiovese, a small group of rebellious renegades have ripped up the rulebook and introduced the classic French varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc to hallowed Italian soils.

Known as ‘Super Tuscans’, these sought-after wines—which include Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Tignanello, Solaia and Masseto—offer a fresh perspective on Italian fine wine. Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure, Cabernet Franc freshness and Merlot plush dark fruit to the mix. They result in opulent, full-bodied, age-worthy wines with aromatic intensity and flavors of mulberry, blueberry, tobacco, leather and spice.

Rhône Reds

An array of grapes thrive in the Rhône Valley in southern France. When blended, this mêlée of grapes produces food-friendly reds with notes of Maraschino cherry, raspberry, leather and dried roses.

In the Côtes du Rhône, the reds are made from a blend of three key grapes: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. It leads to a wonderfully versatile wine with notes of black currant, plum and black pepper that pairs a treat with roast chicken and grilled meats.

White Rhône

The Rhône Valley is also home to some tantalizing white blends known for their opulent texture, intense aromatics and notes of pineapple, peach and papaya.

White Rhônes are made from a blend of grapes—including Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc—although the majority feature the tasty trio of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. With additional notes of beeswax, brioche, honey and apricot, these wines can stand up to all manner of dishes, from citrus-laced salads and creamy chicken to tangy goat’s cheese.

Provence Rosé

The sun-drenched southern French region of Provence boasts the perfect conditions for wine production, and its world-famous rosés are made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Some winemakers also like to add a touch of the white grape Rolle (aka Vermentino) for added freshness.

Grenache is highly regarded for rosé production, and grapes hailing from old vines are particularly prized. Achieving the perfect shade of pale pink while delivering plenty of fresh fruit flavor can be challenging, and the best examples offer notes of strawberry, watermelon and grapefruit, making them a great partner for seafood and salads.

Port

This fortified wine, hailing from Portugal’s picturesque Douro Valley, is a harmonious blend of five distinctive native grape varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão.

Among these, Touriga Franca is the most widely grown grape and is cherished in crafting this exceptional blend. Each grape imparts a distinct note to the wines. Touriga Franca adds cassis flavors, Touriga Nacional contributes essences of violets and a touch of spice, Tinta Roriz delivers the lusciousness of cherry and fig, Tinta Barroca infuses the blend with the velvety richness of plums and Tinto Cão brings forth the deep resonance of black currant.

When brought together, they create a symphony of warming flavors, making Port a dream pairing for sweet desserts like brownies and savory treats like blue cheese.

Kelby, Personal Wine Advisor

I found myself in the world of wine a decade ago. I’ve travelled, I’ve tasted, I’ve met some of my wine “rockstars!” I pride myself on being a resource for those seeking their own wine journey.

WSET – Level 2 Wines & Spirits Certified

Beefy Cabs • Aged Malbec • Southern Italian Blends • Portuguese Reds • Châteauneuf- du-Pape (my favorite!)

kelby@laithwaites.com | (203) 523-2159

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