As I've stated before, blend wines can be a great addition to your wine arsenal. They bring something very different to the table than single varietal wines can. A veritable smorgasbord for the senses!
I've covered the reds. Those luscious scene stealers often take the limelight from the white blends. But white blends are not to be ignored. They offer a myriad of flavors and mouth feel that single varietal whites only attempt. One reason for this is new and obscure white grape varietals are being showcased by large wine brands and small boutique wineries alike. Though fewer in number compared to their red cousins, when combined, these white varietals can hang with the best of reds. White blends are a bit more renegade than reds in that white blends don't have some of the restrictions that red blends do (i.e. Meritage red blend requires at least three Bordeaux varietals). So, winemakers tend to play around with white varietals, mixing, matching and creating great wines.
White Rhône Blends – These blends are gaining in popularity mostly because Rhône varietals are now more widely planted in grape growing regions, especially on California's Central Coast. While these varietals can stand on their own two feet, they are most-often blended together. You will find these very aromatic and fruit forward with descriptors such as stone fruits, apple, honey, pear and spice. The color is often darker than other white varietals.
Viognier (Vee-on-yay)
Rousanne (Roo-sahn)
Marsanne (Mar-sahn)
Grenache Blanc (Grin-ah-sh)
The floral varietals fall into a unique category. They ooze floral notes both in aromas and flavors. These wines don't hint around. They whack you over the head with sweet, honeysuckle, jasmine and citrus blossoms. You will sometimes find these varietals as stand-alone wines. More often, they are blended together and either made a little sweet (remember the RS – residual sugar content?) or very sweet as a dessert wine. Either way, prepare yourself for a sensory overload. Many of the "gateway" wines I've written about will have one or more of these varietals in them to enhance the sweet notes of the blend.
Malvasia Bianca (Maal-vay-sha) some pronounce this Maal-va-see-ya
Muscat Canelli aka Muscat Blanc – this one is currently EVERYWHERE – in the form of Moscato (mo-scah-toh) ; A light, floral, sweet white wine that is selling like hotcakes.
Orange Muscat. Sweet and floral, this grape also gives orange notes.
Muscats are thought to be one of the first varietals to be domesticated and made into wine and are grown all over the world, having several names for the same grape. There are also black muscat grape varieties that are just as sweet and floral as their white variety brethren.
White blends are my go-to when life gets boring. They are so very different from any other wine category and never disappoint. Look for them in retail stores and while they may be a bit hard to find at times, they are worth the hunt. Always try them at tasting rooms. They will offer a change-up from the other wines being poured that day.
Get out there and find yourself a white blend! Enjoy!
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