The very first thing I do when I‘m in a restaurant is inspect the wine list. I usually go directly to the Shiraz section as it’s my favourite grape… however is it the best? There’s a bit of snobbery to single grape wines, however do blends have more to offer?
I’m usually a bit suspicious of a bottle of wine that isn’t labelled with the specific grape range used. I don’t understand why however I like to understand what’s going on my wine.
The tasting notes on the back of the bottle usually tell you what the wine’s going to taste like, so it’s not that. I’m not a ‘grape bigot’ so it’s not a prejudice thing either – though those verdelho grapes can all go to hell!
I believe it’s just a transparency thing.
I want to understand if there are fifteen different varieties in my glass. Don’t try as well as clean me off with a quirky name like ‘Frog’s Piss – French Red Wine’ or ‘Erik’s the Red’.
It’s a pity since behind that jokey label might be my all-time favourite wine ever. You never know. I go for Shiraz most of the time since – by as well as big – I understand I’ll like it. however there are blends that I like too.
My personal favourite is a Shiraz-Grenache blend. I like the smooth thickness you get from the mouth-feel. I like the sweet, big-bodied full-flavoured don’t-mess-with-me-and-we-can-play-nicely spiciness.
And one of bottles we always pick up is The jump Stump from d’Arenberg Estate. It’s a huge blend of Shiraz, Grenache as well as Mourvedre – the traditional Aussie GMS blend. We had this while we were on our honeymoon as well as – although it’s not an costly or even especially great bottle, the sentimentality makes this one of our favourite mixed wines.
Of course, mine is just a lowly mortal’s opinion. It’s worth nothing in the bigger plan of things. Our wine Saints, however, command such sway that it’s stated the truth that when they simply looked at the label of a bottle when made Bacchus himself take it on as his go-to tipple.
Here’s what St Andrew as well as St Peter have to state on mixed reds:
St Andrew:
“Sorry Margaret River, however for me the ultimate Cabernet Merlot outside of France is Hawke’s Bay’s Te Mata Estate Coleraine. much better than most Bordeaux at triple the price. buy new as well as cellar for 10 years. Sublime.
I like a great old Rioja, which is generally Tempranillo mixed with a bit Garnacha, Marzuelo as well as Graciano to add colour, depth as well as aroma (though most likely not in that order).
Marques de Murrieta is my favourite traditional Rioja Alta bodega as well as all of their wines are good. Their top-tier Castillo Ygay Gran Reservas [are deserving of] special reverence.
And for an Australian tipple of distinction, an aged Penfolds Bin 389 cupboard Shiraz is just about unstoppable.”
St Peter:
“My favourite chilly climate wine is from Bloodwood Wines in Orange, NSW – their Cabernet Franc / Malbec. It is an all rounder. Not as well huge like the 389, however huge sufficient to go well with Steak / Lamb Shanks as well as a extremely smooth drink with eloquent tannins.
One of my favourite regions is Ribera del Duero. I like it since in Spain it’s extremely fairly priced as well as creates some excellent wine.
Most of the wines from Ribera del Duero are blends, most of which is Tempranillo however can include Cab Merlot as well as Shiraz among others.”
So if it’s a huge, heft of a red you’re after or perhaps a red that would still go with seafood, instead of reaching for the Cab Sauv or the Beaujolais, perhaps it’s a blend you should be looking for instead.
Do you have a favourite mixed red? are there any type of blends that you don’t like? Do you prefer single range wine over mixed? tell us in the comments!
Here’s what our wine Saints had to state about what to do on a wine tasting trip. Such clever chaps: 15 tips for tasting at the Cellar Door.
Images by Mr & Mrs romance as well as courtesy of Dan Murphy’s.