red blend ideas

[tullamore]

love neutral barrels-my wines sit in there for 1.5 to 2 years - all are neutral as well - 10-15 years old -american , french and hungarian
re-cooped 2 times - from 60 -225 litres
never made kit wines so i don't know how long to oak

 

[winemaker81]

We've added a few blends from our members, and a few commercial blends.

WMT:

tullamore – Alicante 60%, Muscat 40%
tullamore – Barbera 90%, Petite Sirah 10%
tullamore – Barbera 85%, Petite Sirah 15%
CDrew – Barbera 80%, Sangiovese 15%, Aglianico 5%
tullamore – Barbera 80%, Sangiovese 15%, Petite Sirah 5%
tullamore – Barbera 60%, Dolcetto 30%, Nebbiolo 10%
Nebbiolo020 – Cabernet Franc 85% , Merlot 5%, Carmenere 5%, 5% Alicante Bouschet 5%
Mainshipfred – Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Petit Verdot 12%, Tannat 8%
Guasto-IS – Cabernet Sauvignon 78%, Merlot 8%, Cabernet Franc 8%, Petit Verdot 4%, Malbec 2%
DistanceRunner – Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 10%
NCWC – Cabernet Sauvignon 51%, Merlot 26%, Syrah 13%, Sangiovese 10%
Meadini – Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 30%, Syrah 20%
Chuck E – Carmenere 50%, Malbec 50%
winemaker81 – Grenache 62.5%, Syrah 37.5%, Mourvedre 12.5%
Meadini – Grenache 50%, Syrah 25%, Merlot 25%
winemaker81 – Merlot 67%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8.3%, Cabernet Franc 8.25%, Petit Verdot 8.25%, Malbec 8.25%
Jbu50 – Merlot 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Petit Verdot 20%, Malbec 10%, Cabernet Franc 10%
winemaker81 – Merlot 40%, Zinfandel 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Petit Verdot 5%, Malbec 5%
justsgm – Nebbiolo 90%, Petite Sirah 10%
CDrew – Primitivo 60%, Syrah 40%
tullamore – Sangiovese 85%, Sagrantino 15%
justsgm – Sangiovese 75%, Merlot 10%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%, Alicante 5%
Meadini – Sangiovese 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Merlot 15%
tullamore – Sangiovese 60%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%, Syrah 5%
Mainshipfred – Sangiovese 60%, Nebbiolo 20%, Alicante 20%
winemaker81 – Sangiovese 50%, Montipulciano 12.5%, Nebbiolo 12.5%, Nero D'avoia 12.5%, Sagrantino 12.5%
Mac60 – Sangiovese 45%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Merlot 15%, Petite Sirah 5%
NCWC, Sangiovese 42%, Cabernet Sauvignon 21%, Merlot 26%, Syrah 5.5%, Petite Sirah 5.5%
buzi – Sangiovese 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 20%
winemaker81 – Syrah 33.30%, Petite Sirah 33.30%, Merlot 33.30%
Dom1950 – Zinfandel 75%, Alicante 25%
Chuck E – Zinfandel 75%, Petit Syrah 25%
Mac60 – Zinfandel 75%, Syrah 13%, Petite Sirah 7%, Merlot 5%
Kraffty – Zinfandel 50%, Merlot 20%, Malbec 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%

Commercial:

McGregor Winery – Rob Roy Blend – Cabernet Fran 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Merlot 20%
Justin Vineyards – Isosceles – Cabernet Sauvignon 79%, Cabernet Franc 11%, Merlo 10%
San Acacia Cellars – Caballo Muerto – Cabernet Sauvignon 79%, Merlot 9%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8%, Malbec 2%, Petite Verdot 2%
Chateau Bellevue – Bordeaux – Merlot 65%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Cabernet Franc 10%
Tentation de Dalem – Fronsac – Merlot 95%, Cabernet Franc 5%
Latitud 42 – Rioja Reserva – Tempranillo 95%, Graciano 5%

 

[winemaker81]

love neutral barrels-my wines sit in there for 1.5 to 2 years - all are neutral as well - 10-15 years old -american , french and hungarian
re-cooped 2 times - from 60 -225 litres
never made kit wines so i don't know how long to oak

I have found that I generally prefer Hungarian oak, but for the FWK went with the supplied oak. Not for cost; I decided to trust Matteo's judgment.

Regarding time in barrel? IMO it's not any different from grape. I do about 12 months in barrel -- mine are 54 liter neutral, so oak flavoring is not an issue, just the concentration effect. When this year's wine is ready for barrel, I bottle last year's, clean the barrels, and fill 'em back up.

If I made cheap kits, I might do things differently, but for FWK, WE, and RJS, I treat 'em like grape.

 

[tullamore]

I have found that I generally prefer Hungarian oak, but for the FWK went with the supplied oak. Not for cost; I decided to trust Matteo's judgment.

Regarding time in barrel? IMO it's not any different from grape. I do about 12 months in barrel -- mine are 54 liter neutral, so oak flavoring is not an issue, just the concentration effect. When this year's wine is ready for barrel, I bottle last year's, clean the barrels, and fill 'em back up.

If I made cheap kits, I might do things differently, but for FWK, WE, and RJS, I treat 'em like grape.

that's the beauty of wine making - many different opinions - especially when it comes to the type of oak used -
what is the self life the kit wines?
always made wine from grapes - so i have no idea -

 

[winemaker81]

that's the beauty of wine making - many different opinions options - especially when it comes to the type of oak used

While your statement is quite true, I like the change of wording better.

what is the self life the kit wines?

It varies a lot by kit brand and quality, but I'll take a stab at making some general statements. First, consider that 90% of the world's wine production is designed for consumption within 3 years, so kits lasting longer is a good thing.

I chaptalized an Island Mist Green Apple / Riesling to wine strength ("fun wine" kits are typically 7% ABV), and the last 2 bottles were consumed at the 7 year mark. The longevity honestly surprised me, as Island Mist are not high end kits and this was a white. Made as per instructions, they're good for a year or two.

Most decent quality red kits should be good for at least 3 to 5 years. Some that I've made have lasted that long, kits such as the WE Reserve line. I don't make lesser quality kits, as they don't fit my needs.

I think someone from Label Peelers commented that FWK should be good for 5 years. Based upon the tannin and ABV, I expect to get as much as 7 years from the the Forte line. This includes 2 skin packs, a seed pack, and I add a maceration enzyme (ScottZyme ColorPro) and fermentation oak. The kits include aging oak cubes.

The FWK Tavola (no skin packs) line should be good for at least 3 years, probably 5. Mine will be gone by then, as I made them for quicker drinking. At this time I make grape and FWK Forte for aging, and FWK Tavola (no skin packs) for quicker drinking.

In general, decent quality white kits should be good for 2 to 4 years, depending on kit brand, quality level, and grape variety.

The above is (hopefully) educated guesses on my part. FWK hasn't been around long enough to prove longevity, but I'm keeping notes on mine. I'm planning to put away 2 bottles of each Tavola kit to taste on the 4th and 5th anniversaries to see how they last.

 

[Nebbiolo020]

A local winery near where I live produces a interesting blend 55% Zinfandel 45% Cabernet Sauvignon which works out surprisingly well because you get the big bold fruit from the Zinfandel and the body from the cab which works out well.

My personal blend and a wine I make yearly for friends and family is 85% Cabernet Franc 5% Merlot 5% Carmenere and 5% Alicante Bouschet I add the touch of Alicante bouschet for color purposes.

 

[winemaker81]

A local winery near where I live produces a interesting blend 55% Zinfandel 45% Cabernet Sauvignon which works out surprisingly well because you get the big bold fruit from the Zinfandel and the body from the cab which works out well.

which winery?

 

[winemaker81]

I added a new section at the bottom!

WMT - red grapes:

tullamore – Alicante 60%, Muscat 40%
tullamore – Barbera 90%, Petite Sirah 10%
tullamore – Barbera 85%, Petite Sirah 15%
CDrew – Barbera 80%, Sangiovese 15%, Aglianico 5%
tullamore – Barbera 80%, Sangiovese 15%, Petite Sirah 5%
tullamore – Barbera 60%, Dolcetto 30%, Nebbiolo 10%
Nebbiolo020 – Cabernet Franc 85% , Merlot 5%, Carmenere 5%, 5% Alicante Bouschet 5%
Mainshipfred – Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Petit Verdot 12%, Tannat 8%
Guasto-IS – Cabernet Sauvignon 78%, Merlot 8%, Cabernet Franc 8%, Petit Verdot 4%, Malbec 2%
DistanceRunner – Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 10%
NCWC – Cabernet Sauvignon 51%, Merlot 26%, Syrah 13%, Sangiovese 10%
Meadini – Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 30%, Syrah 20%
Chuck E – Carmenere 50%, Malbec 50%
winemaker81 – Grenache 62.5%, Syrah 37.5%, Mourvedre 12.5%
Meadini – Grenache 50%, Syrah 25%, Merlot 25%
winemaker81 – Merlot 67%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8.3%, Cabernet Franc 8.25%, Petit Verdot 8.25%, Malbec 8.25%
Jbu50 – Merlot 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Petit Verdot 20%, Malbec 10%, Cabernet Franc 10%
winemaker81 – Merlot 40%, Zinfandel 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Petit Verdot 5%, Malbec 5%
justsgm – Nebbiolo 90%, Petite Sirah 10%
CDrew – Primitivo 60%, Syrah 40%
tullamore – Sangiovese 85%, Sagrantino 15%
justsgm – Sangiovese 75%, Merlot 10%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%, Alicante 5%
Meadini – Sangiovese 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Merlot 15%
tullamore – Sangiovese 60%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%, Syrah 5%
Mainshipfred – Sangiovese 60%, Nebbiolo 20%, Alicante 20%
winemaker81 – Sangiovese 50%, Montipulciano 12.5%, Nebbiolo 12.5%, Nero D'avoia 12.5%, Sagrantino 12.5%
Mac60 – Sangiovese 45%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Merlot 15%, Petite Sirah 5%
NCWC, Sangiovese 42%, Cabernet Sauvignon 21%, Merlot 26%, Syrah 5.5%, Petite Sirah 5.5%
buzi – Sangiovese 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 20%
winemaker81 – Syrah 33.30%, Petite Sirah 33.30%, Merlot 33.30%
Dom1950 – Zinfandel 75%, Alicante 25%
Chuck E – Zinfandel 75%, Petit Syrah 25%
Mac60 – Zinfandel 75%, Syrah 13%, Petite Sirah 7%, Merlot 5%
Kraffty – Zinfandel 50%, Merlot 20%, Malbec 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%

Commercial - red grapes:

McGregor Winery – Rob Roy Blend – Cabernet Franc 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Merlot 20%
Justin Vineyards – Isosceles – Cabernet Sauvignon 79%, Cabernet Franc 11%, Merlo 10%
San Acacia Cellars – Caballo Muerto – Cabernet Sauvignon 79%, Merlot 9%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8%, Malbec 2%, Petite Verdot 2%
Chateau Bellevue – Bordeaux – Merlot 65%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Cabernet Franc 10%
Tentation de Dalem – Fronsac – Merlot 95%, Cabernet Franc 5%
Latitud 42 – Rioja Reserva – Tempranillo 95%, Graciano 5%

Commercial - white grapes:

Chateau Belingard – Reserve Monbazillac – Semillion 70%, Muscadelle 15%, Sauvignon Blanc 15%

 

[SeniorHobby]

I added a new section at the bottom!

WMT - red grapes:

tullamore – Alicante 60%, Muscat 40%
tullamore – Barbera 90%, Petite Sirah 10%
tullamore – Barbera 85%, Petite Sirah 15%
CDrew – Barbera 80%, Sangiovese 15%, Aglianico 5%
tullamore – Barbera 80%, Sangiovese 15%, Petite Sirah 5%
tullamore – Barbera 60%, Dolcetto 30%, Nebbiolo 10%
Nebbiolo020 – Cabernet Franc 85% , Merlot 5%, Carmenere 5%, 5% Alicante Bouschet 5%
Mainshipfred – Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Petit Verdot 12%, Tannat 8%
Guasto-IS – Cabernet Sauvignon 78%, Merlot 8%, Cabernet Franc 8%, Petit Verdot 4%, Malbec 2%
DistanceRunner – Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 10%
NCWC – Cabernet Sauvignon 51%, Merlot 26%, Syrah 13%, Sangiovese 10%
Meadini – Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 30%, Syrah 20%
Chuck E – Carmenere 50%, Malbec 50%
winemaker81 – Grenache 62.5%, Syrah 37.5%, Mourvedre 12.5%
Meadini – Grenache 50%, Syrah 25%, Merlot 25%
winemaker81 – Merlot 67%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8.3%, Cabernet Franc 8.25%, Petit Verdot 8.25%, Malbec 8.25%
Jbu50 – Merlot 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Petit Verdot 20%, Malbec 10%, Cabernet Franc 10%
winemaker81 – Merlot 40%, Zinfandel 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Petit Verdot 5%, Malbec 5%
justsgm – Nebbiolo 90%, Petite Sirah 10%
CDrew – Primitivo 60%, Syrah 40%
tullamore – Sangiovese 85%, Sagrantino 15%
justsgm – Sangiovese 75%, Merlot 10%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%, Alicante 5%
Meadini – Sangiovese 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Merlot 15%
tullamore – Sangiovese 60%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%, Syrah 5%
Mainshipfred – Sangiovese 60%, Nebbiolo 20%, Alicante 20%
winemaker81 – Sangiovese 50%, Montipulciano 12.5%, Nebbiolo 12.5%, Nero D'avoia 12.5%, Sagrantino 12.5%
Mac60 – Sangiovese 45%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Merlot 15%, Petite Sirah 5%
NCWC, Sangiovese 42%, Cabernet Sauvignon 21%, Merlot 26%, Syrah 5.5%, Petite Sirah 5.5%
buzi – Sangiovese 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 20%
winemaker81 – Syrah 33.30%, Petite Sirah 33.30%, Merlot 33.30%
Dom1950 – Zinfandel 75%, Alicante 25%
Chuck E – Zinfandel 75%, Petit Syrah 25%
Mac60 – Zinfandel 75%, Syrah 13%, Petite Sirah 7%, Merlot 5%
Kraffty – Zinfandel 50%, Merlot 20%, Malbec 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%

Commercial - red grapes:

McGregor Winery – Rob Roy Blend – Cabernet Franc 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Merlot 20%
Justin Vineyards – Isosceles – Cabernet Sauvignon 79%, Cabernet Franc 11%, Merlo 10%
San Acacia Cellars – Caballo Muerto – Cabernet Sauvignon 79%, Merlot 9%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8%, Malbec 2%, Petite Verdot 2%
Chateau Bellevue – Bordeaux – Merlot 65%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Cabernet Franc 10%
Tentation de Dalem – Fronsac – Merlot 95%, Cabernet Franc 5%
Latitud 42 – Rioja Reserva – Tempranillo 95%, Graciano 5%

Commercial - white grapes:

Chateau Belingard – Reserve Monbazillac – Semillion 70%, Muscadelle 15%, Sauvignon Blanc 15%

This is a great thread! It gives the beginner a direction for blending. I haven't ordered grapes from out of state yet but it sounds like so much fun I am tempted to start! Are their any suggestions for blends from northern grapes? Ex. Marquette, Frontenac Gris, Sabrvois, Brianna.
Thanks!

 

[Mario Dinis]

I added a new section at the bottom!

WMT - red grapes:

tullamore – Alicante 60%, Muscat 40%
tullamore – Barbera 90%, Petite Sirah 10%
tullamore – Barbera 85%, Petite Sirah 15%
CDrew – Barbera 80%, Sangiovese 15%, Aglianico 5%
tullamore – Barbera 80%, Sangiovese 15%, Petite Sirah 5%
tullamore – Barbera 60%, Dolcetto 30%, Nebbiolo 10%
Nebbiolo020 – Cabernet Franc 85% , Merlot 5%, Carmenere 5%, 5% Alicante Bouschet 5%
Mainshipfred – Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Petit Verdot 12%, Tannat 8%
Guasto-IS – Cabernet Sauvignon 78%, Merlot 8%, Cabernet Franc 8%, Petit Verdot 4%, Malbec 2%
DistanceRunner – Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 10%
NCWC – Cabernet Sauvignon 51%, Merlot 26%, Syrah 13%, Sangiovese 10%
Meadini – Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 30%, Syrah 20%
Chuck E – Carmenere 50%, Malbec 50%
winemaker81 – Grenache 62.5%, Syrah 37.5%, Mourvedre 12.5%
Meadini – Grenache 50%, Syrah 25%, Merlot 25%
winemaker81 – Merlot 67%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8.3%, Cabernet Franc 8.25%, Petit Verdot 8.25%, Malbec 8.25%
Jbu50 – Merlot 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Petit Verdot 20%, Malbec 10%, Cabernet Franc 10%
winemaker81 – Merlot 40%, Zinfandel 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Petit Verdot 5%, Malbec 5%
justsgm – Nebbiolo 90%, Petite Sirah 10%
CDrew – Primitivo 60%, Syrah 40%
tullamore – Sangiovese 85%, Sagrantino 15%
justsgm – Sangiovese 75%, Merlot 10%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%, Alicante 5%
Meadini – Sangiovese 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Merlot 15%
tullamore – Sangiovese 60%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%, Syrah 5%
Mainshipfred – Sangiovese 60%, Nebbiolo 20%, Alicante 20%
winemaker81 – Sangiovese 50%, Montipulciano 12.5%, Nebbiolo 12.5%, Nero D'avoia 12.5%, Sagrantino 12.5%
Mac60 – Sangiovese 45%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Merlot 15%, Petite Sirah 5%
NCWC, Sangiovese 42%, Cabernet Sauvignon 21%, Merlot 26%, Syrah 5.5%, Petite Sirah 5.5%
buzi – Sangiovese 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 20%
winemaker81 – Syrah 33.30%, Petite Sirah 33.30%, Merlot 33.30%
Dom1950 – Zinfandel 75%, Alicante 25%
Chuck E – Zinfandel 75%, Petit Syrah 25%
Mac60 – Zinfandel 75%, Syrah 13%, Petite Sirah 7%, Merlot 5%
Kraffty – Zinfandel 50%, Merlot 20%, Malbec 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%

Commercial - red grapes:

McGregor Winery – Rob Roy Blend – Cabernet Franc 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Merlot 20%
Justin Vineyards – Isosceles – Cabernet Sauvignon 79%, Cabernet Franc 11%, Merlo 10%
San Acacia Cellars – Caballo Muerto – Cabernet Sauvignon 79%, Merlot 9%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8%, Malbec 2%, Petite Verdot 2%
Chateau Bellevue – Bordeaux – Merlot 65%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Cabernet Franc 10%
Tentation de Dalem – Fronsac – Merlot 95%, Cabernet Franc 5%
Latitud 42 – Rioja Reserva – Tempranillo 95%, Graciano 5%

Commercial - white grapes:

Chateau Belingard – Reserve Monbazillac – Semillion 70%, Muscadelle 15%, Sauvignon Blanc 15%

Awesome list. Thank you for sharing

 

[winemaker81]

This is a great thread! It gives the beginner a direction for blending. I haven't ordered grapes from out of state yet but it sounds like so much fun I am tempted to start! Are their any suggestions for blends from northern grapes? Ex. Marquette, Frontenac Gris, Sabrvois, Brianna.

I'm happy you find it useful!

I haven't made red hybrids in a very long time, and made only varietals at that time. I have a line on VA grapes this fall, and have been researching blends. From what I've read, red hybrids are more finicky to blend than Vinifera. At this time I don't have any recommendations, but others may chime in.

Yesterday I received word that the local west coast grape purchase is happening. Depending on what is available, I'm planning on 8 lugs of Tempranillo and 8 lugs of Grenache or Sangiovese. Additionally, I'm considering 1 lug each of Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Mourvedre -- these will be fermented as a single batch, and used to blend into the other 2 batches after barrel aging. Instead of field blends (due to available containers), only the blend-in wine will be a field blend.

 

[SeniorHobby]

I'm happy you find it useful!

I haven't made red hybrids in a very long time, and made only varietals at that time. I have a line on VA grapes this fall, and have been researching blends. From what I've read, red hybrids are more finicky to blend than Vinifera. At this time I don't have any recommendations, but others may chime in.

Yesterday I received word that the local west coast grape purchase is happening. Depending on what is available, I'm planning on 8 lugs of Tempranillo and 8 lugs of Grenache or Sangiovese. Additionally, I'm considering 1 lug each of Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Mourvedre -- these will be fermented as a single batch, and used to blend into the other 2 batches after barrel aging. Instead of field blends (due to available containers), only the blend-in wine will be a field blend.

Do you have a supplier you purchase from? Is this something you do in the fall or do you preorder?
Thanks!

 

[winemaker81]

Do you have a supplier you purchase from? Is this something you do in the fall or do you preorder?

We have a group local to Durham NC, that makes a group purchase -- currently from Musto. I was unable to participate last year, but in each of the years before that we purchased over 5 tons of grape.

The advantage of this is a better price on shipping, as the order arrives on a tractor trailer. The disadvantage is we get 1 order, which appears to be based mostly around the availability of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and other grapes available during that time frame. It's still a good list, but it's not everything Musto ships.

IIRC, Musto is willing to deal with group purchases of at least 2,000 lbs. If you can find enough local people, look for a shipper relatively local to you. I live 45 minutes away from our coordinator, and we have folks coming from 2.5 hours away. When on the east coast, getting good Vinifera has it's difficulties.

 

[Hazelemere]

We blended hyper ripe 28 brix non raisined hand destemmed and uncrushed Amarone style Lodi Mettler Vineyard Petite Sirah with my own Pacific Northwest Regent to get ~14.9% alcohol instead of 16 from Petite Sirah with better acid (from the Regent) at about 74% Petite Sirah to 26% Regent in a blend. These grapes were fermented separately with RC 212 yeast and oaked during malolactic fermentation with medium toast American oak cubes at 30 per 5 Imperial gallons for 120 days. The wine is inky, rich and smooth with good tannin and low-medium acid with a smell of plums, coffee and chocolate with a trace of red currant (regent). I think that blending slightly acidic homegrown reds with commercial slightly flat or too sweet commercial reds can make some really tasty and fragrant balanced blends. We've also mixed homegrown Marechal Foch (slightly high acid) at SG 1.095 with slightly flat but rich and tasty Amador county Cabernet Sauvignon or Washington Syrah or California Zinfandel.

 

[SeniorHobby]

We have a group local to Durham NC, that makes a group purchase -- currently from Musto. I was unable to participate last year, but in each of the years before that we purchased over 5 tons of grape.

The advantage of this is a better price on shipping, as the order arrives on a tractor trailer. The disadvantage is we get 1 order, which appears to be based mostly around the availability of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and other grapes available during that time frame. It's still a good list, but it's not everything Musto ships.

IIRC, Musto is willing to deal with group purchases of at least 2,000 lbs. If you can find enough local people, look for a shipper relatively local to you. I live 45 minutes away from our coordinator, and we have folks coming from 2.5 hours away. When on the east coast, getting good Vinifera has it's difficulties.

Thanks for the idea. It makes it a little tricky but possible.

 

[VinesnBines]

I haven't made red hybrids in a very long time, and made only varietals at that time. I have a line on VA grapes this fall, and have been researching blends. From what I've read, red hybrids are more finicky to blend than Vinifera. At this time I don't have any recommendations, but others may chime in.

Other growers need to chime in.

My research, not personal experience, is that Sabrvois is a good blend with Baco Noir, Frontenac, or St. Croix. It might be good with Cab Sav or Zin to pep up other high sugar varieties. I don't have any suggestions for Brianna but read that it is a good blender with other whites - does not overpower. The newer hybrids are still in the trial stage for blending. Usually though the high acids are good to blend with the flatter, dull tending vinifera.

 

[ratflinger]

White Blend

Gewurztraporter - 50/50 Gewurztraminer / Piesporter

 

[winemaker81]

I've added a WMT White Grapes section, as we have an entry, and added everything since my last post.

I migrated my list from Excel to MS Access, as maintaining it in Excel is a PITA. If anyone spots any mistakes, please let me know.

Red Blends - WMT

tullamore: Alicante 60%, Muscat 40%
tullamore: Barbera 90%, Petite Sirah 10%
tullamore: Barbera 85%, Petite Sirah 15%
CDrew: Barbera 80%, Sangiovese 15%, Aglianico 5%
tullamore: Barbera 80%, Sangiovese 15%, Petite Sirah 5%
tullamore: Barbera 60%, Dolcetto 30%, Nebbiolo 10%
Nebbiolo020 : Cabernet Franc 85%, Merlot 5%, Carmenere 5%, Alicante Bouschet 5%
Mainshipfred: Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Petit Verdot 12%, Tannat 8%
Guasto-IS: Cabernet Sauvignon 78%, Merlot 8%, Cabernet Franc 8%, Petit Verdot 4%, Malbec 2%
DistanceRunner: Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 10%
NCWC: Cabernet Sauvignon 51%, Merlot 26%, Syrah 13%, Sangiovese 10%
Meadini: Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 30%, Syrah 20%
Chuck E: Carmenere 50%, Malbec 50%
winemaker81: Grenache 62.50%, Syrah 37.50%, Mourvedre 12.50%
Meadini: Grenache 50%, Syrah 25%, Merlot 25%
winemaker81: Merlot 67%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8.25%, Cabernet Franc 8.25%, Petit Verdot 8.25%, Malbec 8.25%
Jbu50: Merlot 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Petit Verdot 20%, Malbec 10%, Cabernet Franc 10%
winemaker81: Merlot 40%, Zinfandel 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Petit Verdot 5%
justsgm: Nebbiolo 90%, Petite Sirah 10%
Hazelmere: Petite Sirah 74%, Regent 26%
CDrew: Primitivo 60%, Syrah 40%
tullamore: Sangiovese 85%, Sagrantino 15%
justsgm: Sangiovese 75%, Merlot 10%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%, Alicante 5%
Meadini: Sangiovese 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Merlot 15%
tullamore: Sangiovese 60%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%, Syrah 5%
mainshipfred: Sangiovese 60%, Nebbiolo 20%, Alicante 20%
winemaker81: Sangiovese 50%, Montipulciano 12.50%, Nebbiolo 12.50%, Nero D'avoia 12.50%, Sagrantino 12.50%
Mac60: Sangiovese 45%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Merlot 15%, Petite Sirah 5%
NCWC: Sangiovese 42%, Cabernet Sauvignon 21%, Merlot 26%, Syrah 5.50%, Petite Sirah 5.50%
buzi: Sangiovese 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 20%
winemaker81: Syrah 33.30%, Petite Sirah 33.30%, Merlot 33.30%
Dom1950: Zinfandel 75%, Alicante 25%
Chuck E: Zinfandel 75%, Petit Syrah 25%
Mac60: Zinfandel 75%, Syrah 13%, Petite Sirah 7%, Merlot 5%
Kraffty: Zinfandel 50%, Merlot 20%, Malbec 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%

Red Blends - Commercial

McGregor Winery – Rob Roy: Cabernet Franc 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Merlot 20%
Justin Vineyards – Isosceles: Cabernet Sauvignon 79%, Cabernet Franc 11%, Merlot 10%
San Acacia Cellars – Caballo Muerto: Cabernet Sauvignon 79%, Merlot 9%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8%, Malbec 4%
Tentation de Dalem – Fronsac: Merlot 95%, Cabernet Franc 5%
Chateau Bellevue – Bordeaux: Merlot 65%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Cabernet Franc 10%
Latitud 42 – Rioja Reserva: Tempranillo 95%, Graciano 5%

White Blends - WMT

ratflinger: GewurztramineR 50%, Piesporter 50%

White Blends - Commercial

Chateau Belingard – Reserve Monbazillac: Semillion 70%, Muscadelle 15%, Sauvignon Blanc 15%


I also list a copy of this list on my web site:

https://wine.bkfazekas.com/successful-red-blends/

 

[Mcjeff]

You all have inspired me. In addition to ordering 3 lugs of Merlot which I made last year I ordered 3 lugs of Cabernet Franc. I plan to ferment separately and have a FWK Cabernet and then do some blending and expect to have some single bottles of each or maybe some different blends.

 

[winemaker81]

I purchased 2 bottles of Antonio Federici's Roma Rossa 2019, and opened one last night. WOW! It's a Montepulciano (60%) / Cesanese (40%) blend. I've never heard of Cesanese before, although that's not a surprise, as there are so many grape. It's grown in the Lazio region, on the west coast of Italy, half way down the "boot".

While I doubt I'll ever lay hands on a USA-grown version, I can always dream!

This has been added to my database of blends, and will be in the list the next time I publish an update.