Do you like wine blends? They seem to work really well when you cannot figure out which wine you are in the mood to enjoy. Cabernet? Shiraz? Malbec? Eany, meany, miney, moe. Might as well go for a combo. Plus, if you are like me, a bottle of wine lasts for a couple of days. I usually drink ½ of a bottle one night and the rest another night. Blends are versatile and go well with many foods.
One of my favorite wine blends is a Syr/Cab – Syrah and Cabernet. Together the two grapes make a big, bold wine. There are a lot of good blends out there and I am always hunting for something new to try. I discovered this one at a steakhouse. Once I tasted it I knew I had to find it to enjoy at home.
Columbia-Crest Grand Estates Amitage 2008 comes from the Columbia Valley in Washington. It is a blend of Merlot (64%), Syrah (19%), Cabernet Franc (7%), Cabernet Sauvignon (5.5%), and Malbec (4.5%). Such wonderful wines all mixed together. The result is a very smooth wine, full of dark fruit with a hint of spice, and delicious from start to finish. This wine is one to sip on while making dinner, eating dinner, and savoring after dinner. Or sip on all by itself.
The wine held up well after being opened. Actually, it held up quite well for more than a few days. It tasted better several days old than some wines do when they are from a freshly opened bottle. A nice lasting quality for a wine priced around $11.
Amitage, as defined on the back of the bottle, is a combination of the prefix ami (love) and heritage, in tribute to artisan winemaking techniques. I recommend this wine. I have already purchased another bottle and it will be on my go-to wine list.
What wine blends do you enjoy? Leave a comment to share the information a good blend you have discovered. Wine shopping is a frequent and favorite activity of mine so the more recommendations the better. Cheers!
amy @ fearless homemaker
Wednesday 19th of October 2011
one of my favorite blends is Cline Cashmere, which is a blend of Mourvedre, Syrah + Grenache. it's super smooth, silky, + neither too overbearing nor underwhelming - rather, it's a perfect middle-ground red blend. love it!
Renee
Wednesday 19th of October 2011
I've tried other wines from Cline but not that one yet. Will add that one to my shopping list.