The lexicon of liquor has many baffling entries, some of which need more explanation than an episode of Lost.
Take the term “blend.” Consumers are just fine associating it with scotch, but in our single varietal world there seems to be a stigma attached to the idea that wines can be a mix of different grapes.
If you believe that, consider this. The concept of blending grape personalities is the foundation of some of the finest wine regions on Earth: Think France’s Bordeaux and Champagne, Italy’s Veneto and Portugal’s Douro Valley.
Some grapes naturally go together. Others may seem unlikely but create magic in the bottle. The 2007 Hardy’s Stamp Series Chardonnay Semillon ($9.95 – $11.99) from Australia is a good example. You wouldn’t think the pair would make a likely couple, but the chard offers a rounded, buttery flavour that’s massaged nicely by the slight honeyed flow of the semillon.
How about a marriage of chardonnay, muscat and chenin blanc? The 2007 Folie à Deux Ménage à Trois White ($17.99 – $19.98) is a jazzy Californian combo that shows lots of citrus, melon and ripe exotic fruit flavours while perfectly illustrating that the art is definitely in the blend.
Prices reflect the range across the country. Some products may not be available in all provinces.
– Peter Rockwell is the everyman’s wine writer, working in the liquor industry for more than 25 years and travelling the globe looking for something to fill his glass and put into words.
