Chateau Julien Merlot

Discover Blended Red Wine Wines

In the United States, a red mix is any American wine that isn't produced from a single grape type. It's an odd classification since many, if not all, red wines are and have always been mixes. A grand cru Bordeaux produced entirely of Cabernet, as well as Chiantis made entirely of Sangiovese, are the exception rather than the norm. In addition, California law only requires a wine's label to contain 75% of the grape type.

Winemakers combine grapes because it enables them to create a wine in a sense. A splash of Merlot may help soften Cabernet's tannins, while a dash of Syrah can give watery, inexpensive Pinot some punch. Blending is common in several regions: Rioja, for example, has traditionally blended Tempranillo, Graciano, and Garnacha. Many modern, inexpensive red blends, on the other hand, are simply created for mass appeal—lots of superripe, black fruit and no acidity—using whatever varietals would suffice.