Red Blends

This Italian blend is high in acidity, with deep ruby color and a full body. When combined the two flavors create a dry tannic sensation with a hint of pepper and smokiness. The Barbera/Petite Sirah goes well with big, well-seasoned meals and softens well with age.

Perfectly mimicking a true French Bordeaux, the Bordeaux Blend is a spectacular amalgamation of Cabernet, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Not regulated to the Bordeaux region of France however, these wines also pay homage to the “spirit” of blends and add in notes of Zinfandel, Syrah or other grapes too to create a very distinct flavor.    

Meritage is a full-bodied blend of Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon. It ages incredibly-well in the bottle and must be blended entirely from traditional Bordeaux varieties to be called a Meritage. Red, white – makes no difference, a Meritage wine (very enjoyable with bold flavors) cannot be made of more than 90 percent of a single grape.

This beloved Bordeaux blend has been adopted by wine lovers the world over for its amazing flavor, rich aroma, and easy drinkability. The more-dominant Cabernet Sauvignon provides the lion’s share of the acidic and tannic structure, as well as the complexity of the savor of cassis, cedar, and tobacco aromas. But the Cabernet Franc still also plays its part wafting a more floral component and a hint of spice to finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blends call the various regions of Western Australia home. They are known for their cassis, mocha, and sweet/spicy aromas, as well as a supple texture that is fruitier than anything else. Hints of blueberry dance upon the tongue then finish with a long, slow dark chocolate tannic taste at the end. Due to their complex structures, they tend to age well.

Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Syrah blend is a new-world approach to classic wine styles. The Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend makes an ideal Bordeaux, but the addition of the Syrah or Shiraz is a big left turn that is gaining popularity in Tuscany, Spain, the Mediterranean coast of France, and other locations. The full body of the three blends is characterized by a tannic aftertaste, green pepper, and black currant. With the juicy mouthfeel of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in dominant quantities, the spice added by the small amount of added Syrah gives the wine its own unique life.

When working with two titans of the red wine family, it is best to even them out for the best flavors. With the Cabernet Sauvignon and Old Vine Zinfandel blend, the addition of Old vine will soften the Cabernet and make it more drinkable earlier.  

Chianti is a robust red wine blend that comes from Tuscany. It generally consists of mostly a bold Sangiovese with a dash of Canaiolo and other approved red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Syrah. There are many types of Chianti available – Classico, Reserva, and Superiore – each with their own required alcohol content, storing requirements, and necessary fermentation period.

The wines of Cinque Terra, the 5 remote towns in the Italian Riviera, are among the most costly, and most difficult to make, the world. All of their winemaking is done by hand throughout their rugged, impossibly-steep mountain terrain. Called Sciacchetrà (pronounced shahk-eh-TRA) by its friends, this rare nectar is made with the best grapes that are grown closest to the sea. The locals dry the berries out on mats for several months then make tiny amounts of their wine for the luckiest connoisseurs. Vino Di Cinque Uva tastes of honey, dried apricot, pastry cream, candied tangerine, hazelnut, dried sage, and other flavors that make it a truly once-in-a-lifetime wine.

 

Italian table wines fall into combinations of eight main Italian reds: Sangiovese, Montepulciano (the grape), Barbera, Nero d’Avola, Primitivo (aka Zinfandel), Valpolicella Blend, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo. They can be earthy or fruity, light, medium or bold bodied, and each one has its own unique aroma and taste (leather, violets, cherries, blueberries, and more) to give you an amazing experience. Don’t forget to decant all Italian wines before you drink.

The Old Vine Zinfandel and Ruby Cabernet blend combine the acidity, fruit flavors, and dry aroma of the Cabernet with the light, spicy flavor of the Old Vine Zinfandel. It creates an impeccable red wine that is oak aged, intense, and full-bodied, but very drinkable on any occasion.

Cabernet Sauvignon/Sangiovese represents modern Italian winemaking at its finest. Its extraordinary blend offers the cool combination of the black-cherry and wild berry flavors of the Sangiovese and the flavorful power of the Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend is also characterized by the acid and tannins found in the wine, and the smooth finish that results from the easy aging process.

The Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon blend is considered among the “Super Tuscan” wine vintages of central Italy. It perfectly-combines the rich power and structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon with the rustic, sour, tangy cherry flavors of the Sangiovese to produce a unique inherent taste. You’ll also get earthy forest-floor aromas as you enjoy this fresh modern interpretation of a classic Tuscan blend.

Like the Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon blend, the Sangiovese/Merlot blend has almost identical flavor profiles native to the Tuscany region of Italy. However, the Sangiovese/Merlot blend offers sweeter, juicier fruit flavors from the Merlot. It still possesses the tangy cherry flavor from the Sangiovese, but it the Merlot gives it a delicious drinkability that is never overpowering.

The Sangiovese/Zinfandel blend allows you a taste of a classic, beautiful Tuscan vintage from the Sangiovese, combined with the soft, spicy, fruit-laden flavor profiles of the Zinfandel. The appeal of the wine is undeniable, fusing berry, cherry, and sour undertones to craft a savoriness that goes well with almost any meal.

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