Wine blending is more than a skill, it’s an art form; a winemaker’s blends are as unique as a signature. Join the fun action and learn from the pros how to blend your own personal bottle
Winemakers long ago realized the creation of beautiful wine sometimes meant bringing different juices together to make a whole that was greater than the sum of its parts.
Traditional wine blending in Europe was done along clearly defined criteria. Wines made in the Bordeaux and Rhône regions are the most notable examples of this, and are still today produced under very rigorous rules and regulations. In Bordeaux, reds may only be produced using (up to) five specific varietals, namely Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and/or Petit Verdot. Any combination may be used, but often it is a mixing of two to three, and it would be less common for all five to be combined at once.
A New Era for Blends
Washington State winemakers (and others around the globe) have ushered in a new era of blending. Contemporary blenders are throwing out the rulebook altogether in an effort to create wines that are exciting, different, and dare we say, avant-garde. All kinds of grape varieties are being combined together to reach across lines and entice even the pickiest of palates. It is an “anything goes” sort of world and it is gaining favor among wine drinkers.
Pete Hedges is the head winemaker at Hedges Family Estate, home to one of the oldest red blends in Washington, CMS (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah). When asked what he thought about the public trying their hand at blending, his response was, “Sure, why not.”
What’s his secret to blending great wine? “It’s all about knowing what you want to achieve and then selecting grapes from proper sites. When you do, the wine practically blends itself,” coaches Hedges.
Craft Your Own Bottle
As for the public blending their own bottle (or more), the results are even more eclectic than the professionals. With no concern for rules, or even the opinions of others, consumers can try anything that suits their fancy. Don’t be intimidated by the thought that you might not know as much as the next person, or worry that you don’t like wines that others savor. Not only is the “anything goes” mentality tenfold in a personal blending, but it really is all about you. The idea is to have fun and make what you consider to be a delectable drink.
Every winter, wine club members at Madsen Family Cellars in Lacey get together to assist in the blending formulation for the winery’s Othello and Lady MacBeth labels. Says winemaker Dana Madsen, “The reason I blend is for a full palate. The purpose of blending is to improve on the single varietal, making it something that tastes better.” As for why he brings in groups for his annual blending party, he says, “Because its fun!”
Northstar Blending Experience
Northstar Winery, a high-end Merlot producer in Walla Walla, offers a truly sensational barrel blending experience, and is the first winery in Washington to launch a program of this scope. It’s an entertaining way to learn about Washington AVA’s under a single roof, where participants are privy to individual barrel tastings from the Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills and Columbia Valley appellations.
“Even as a Merlot specialist, everything we do at Northstar is about blending to some degree—blending vineyards, blending barrels, and blending varietals,” says David Merfeld (who goes by the nickname of Merf), winemaker for Northstar. “The Northstar Blending Experience gives you a taste of what goes on behind the scenes here every day.”
Sitting around a long custom-made table in a posh cellar room, guests receive a short overview of the state’s wine-growing regions, including a primer on tasting and blending techniques. Then they get to play winemaker for a day, just like the pros; blending wines straight from the barrels, through trial and error, using beakers, graduated cylinders and other blending tools.
Guests even get to seal their own blended bottle with a manual corking machine and design a label by hand. If you’re not a winemaker now, you may want to be before the day is over.
Classic Winemakers
Classic Winemakers in Olympia specializes in blending parties, open to the general public as well. Complete with bottling and custom-labeling capacity, customers here can also craft a personalized bottle of wine (or more, if they wish).
With curiosity, I sat down with owner Josh Monti to blend my own bottle and get an idea of how it works at Classic Winemakers. Monti brings in unfinished wines from all over the state. I sampled a few of these individually, and then, in larger numbered glasses, I began to try different blending combinations.
My choice was to blend Barbera, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The first blend was a bit strong. It was 60% Merlot and 20% of each other varietal. It was a little harsh, so I decreased the Barbera by 10% and increased the Petit Verdot by the same amount. It lacked the appropriate finish and died on the palate.
After playing with the percentages a little more, I ultimately decided on a winning combination for my custom blend: 50% Merlot, 30% Petit Verdot and 20% Barbera. The result (to me) was superior; smooth, not too much oak, a little bit of spice and a clean sultry finish.
It was a good red for dinner, especially one of locally raised beef with farm fresh vegetables, which is exactly what I served it with one week after it was created.
START BLENDING NOW!
Northstar Blending Experience
Cost: $85 per person
($65 for wine club members)
Requires advance appointment
Northstar Winery
1736 JB George Rd.
Walla Walla
Tasting room open daily
(866) 486-7828
Classic Winemakers
Taste, buy a bottle, or craft your own batch.
Open Tues and Fri-Sun
325 4th Ave E Olympia, WA
(360) 493-6500
Check with your local wineries
Looking for a blending party in your immediate area? Try checking with local wineries who may conduct their own version of a blending party, although many are limited only to wine club members.
By SarahJoy Smith