Why We Like Blended Wines
At Bacchus Wines PLDC, we’re not wine snobs; we’re wine lovers. Wine is a joy and should be judged on merit. But we’re often asked, which is better? A blended wine or a single-varietal wine? The answer is not black or white, so let’s start at the beginning.
Single-Varietal Wine
Single-varietal wine is produced, usually with one grape variety or majority. The idea is that the wine promotes the nuances of the individual grape and creates a purer wine. We’re not entirely convinced because the weather and growing conditions can affect the outcome of a single grape variety and, therefore, the wine, with the exception of Champagne made from 100% Chardnonnay as with our Paul LeBrun range.
Another thing to note about single-varietal wines is that they can sometimes be too intense or too delicate to pair with food. Blended wines can be tailored to the specific food to complement the meal.
Blended Wine
At Bacchus Wines PLDC, we prefer blended wines because they offer more complexity and balance. Blended wines are more consistent because the elements can affect the quality and flavour of grapes. By blending grapes, winemakers can create a more consistent quality wine. Our Château de Parenchère range is majority blended wine with multi-generational winemaking know-how. We know that we’re going to get a fantastic product every time.
We also think that blended wines are more complex and exciting to drink. By blending different grape varieties, winemakers can create wines with a broader range of aromas and flavours. Blending also helps to balance the acidity and tannins in the wine, which only an expert vintner can do.
The Art of Wine Blending
Wine blending is the art of combining different grape varieties to create a wine with a more complex and balanced flavour profile. It is a centuries-old practice still used today by some of the world’s most renowned winemakers.
Some of the most famous wine blends in the world include Bordeaux blends, and we’re proud to stock seven incredible wines from Château de Parenchère. The estate dates back to 1570, with a long and well-established history in viticulture. Located on the eastern edge of the Bordeaux wine-growing area, it lies on the borders of the Dordogne and the Lot et Garonne departments. The expert wine producers now dedicate 169 acres to vines. Planted on the estate’s best-exposed plots and solely on hillsides so that rainwater drains away naturally. This way, stagnating water does not harm fruit quality, which would cause the grapes to swell. Thanks to this ideal exposure, the grapes get a lot of sun from the early morning until late evening, which helps them reach their best maturity level even in challenging years.
New 2020 and 2022 vintages of their fantastic wines have just been released, which offer great ageing potential and great ‘drink now’ options.
· The 2022 Blanc-Sec is a great all-rounder white wine, perfect for all occasions.
· La Roseraie 2022 is a rosé with delicate and tangy currant scents.
· The 2022 L’Equilibriste Rouge is a fantastic blend produced without adding sulphites and is excellent to drink now.
· The 2022 Bordeaux Clairet is more substantial than traditional rosés, with a good body and exuberant fruitiness.
· 2020 Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge is a classic blend with a good balance between fruit and tannin, red fruit and a long finish. It won gold at Concours Mondial de Bruxcelles.
