Blended Wines Are Available for a Range of Tastes and Prices

With so many wine choices out there, why limit yourself to a single varietal? In many instances, a blended varietal wine will contain the characteristics of a varietal you love but introduce you to a flavor you might never have tried.

Modern blending combines wines with different but complementary characteristics. To be labeled "Merlot," the varietal wine must contain a minimum percentage of that grape. This percentage varies depending on region: at least 85 percent in Europe, 75 percent American, or 100 percent in Australia. Many bottles will list the varietal percentages on the bottle, and quite often a "Merlot" is actually 80 percent Merlot, 15 percent Cabernet Franc, and 5 percent Zinfandel. So it is not a far step to drink a blended wine.

Sometime a simple table wine is the perfect bottle for your mood and many excellent bottles are out there. Following are several stand-out blended wines.

Red Wines

Old Vine Red, Lot Number 42 (2006)Marietta Cellars, California, $10.99
Old Vine Red tastes like a mellow Zinfandel, which makes sense as it's a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Syrah and Carignane. Carignane adds the wine's slightly peppery finish. This mouth-filling wine is smooth and fruit-forward, but with an almost spicy kick at the end. Try it with grilled meat as the smoky flavor enhances the wine flavors, nuts and cheeses like walnuts and extra sharp cheddar, or even a chocolate dessert.

Escudo Rojo (2003) Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Chile, $14.99
Escudo Rojo is made from four traditional grape varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. Escudo Rojo may initially feel flat on the tongue until it has had time to breathe and decant. This red wine is worth the wait as it then has a big mouth feel and long finish. Lingering flavors include vanilla, cherry, and spicy after flavors. Try it with different meats, a simple appetizer plate of olives, cheese, and bread, or dark chocolate dessert.

Double T (2003) Trefethen & Trefethen, Napa Valley, $18.99
As soon as you open the bottle, you know Double T is going to be a big wine because of it's powerful aroma. Double T is a blend of the classic Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Because it has such a big mouth feel, Double T can pair with a range of foods from pizza to lamb chops, olives to brownies, and stands up well to strong cheeses.

White Wines

Big House White (2005) California, $8.99
For an easy-to-drink white wine, this is a great blend of nine varietals including Viognier, Chenin Blanc, French Columbard, and Sauvignon Blanc. It's crisp and somewhat fruity, without being overly acidic. Wine Spectator gave the Big House White a 90 point rating and at this price you can't go wrong.

Incognito (2005) Lodi Vineyards, California, $15.99
The primary varietal in this white wine blend is Viognier so it's fairly sweet. The upfront fruity flavor gives way to a more mild finish. It pairs wonderfully with goat cheese, bread and strawberries, or even with a light fish dish.

SetenaTerra Alta (2003) Oriel, Spain, $16.99
Oriel Wines is a unique wine label that has none of its own vineyards, but instead unites two dozen vintners from across the globe under a single label. The Setena Terra Alta is a Spanish white wine blend of 70 percent Garnacha Blanca, 20 percent Chardonnay, and 10 percent Sauvignon Blanc. The Terra Alta has a wonderful citrus flavor and vanilla and pear finish that stand up well to both creamy and citrus foods, and pairs especially well with melons and mild cheese.

Don't be afraid to try a bottle that just says "table wine" as it might be the smoothest wine you've tried in ages. Any of these are great buys, so have fun!