Every wine is a blend of some sort

You may not realise it, but some of the world’s most admired wines are blends – a mix of different grape varieties. Many of those with which you may be most familiar, including Bordeaux, Côte du Rhône and Rioja, are made from more than one variety.

Blends have many advantages. Winemakers combine different components to make a more harmoniously satisfying whole, a synergy of grape varieties. Take Bordeaux; the proportions