Wines and SpiritsWine Blends - Mutts vs. Pedigrees
Wines can be a lot like dogs: thin out the breed a bit, and look for some interesting character traits. While some winemakers, like pedigree breeders, might not like these red- haired stepchildren much, they"ve got a lot of personality.
In the documentary film, A State of Vine, http://astateofvine.com, more than a few wineries featured exalt a particular varietal as their "best of show." Silver Oak cabernet, Pride"s cult classics, even Harvest Moon touts their zinfandel, while admitting its status as a bastard of sorts, not even considered a varietal by the French. Even the grandaddy of good cheap wine, Charles Shaw, a/k/a "two buck Chuck" offers an assortment of varietals.
While most varietals do contain a light blend of other grapes - 75% of the grapes must be the designated grape in the US, 85% in the more regulated European Union - the blends don"t have as many rules, except for Meritage which prides itself on class and caliber, much like a yorkie poo.
In the movie, Mike Martini of Taft Street Winery, offers a practical approach to wine selection, emphasizing the friends at the table, and the art of the conversation. Offing the wine snobs, who are also a subject of discussion in a single beat, he says, " Grapes are a weed, they"ll grow anywhere."
Incredible as it might seem, my husband and I get tired of the same wine, no matter the price point. It"s like looking at a french poodle day after day when one really feels like tossing a stick with a lab mix. When that happens, we add some unusual blends into the mix, without concern of quantity nor grape. We always find some new "must haves" and rather than hide the bottle and embrace the decanter, we introduce them proudly when we entertain.