Sunday, Del Rio hosted a Wine 102 blending course for our wine club members and had a great group of eager blenders. We blended three wines right from the tank: 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Malbec, and 2009 Syrah. To kick off the event, Jolee provided a great amount of information for our blending preparation. The majority of wines are actually blends. All wines in the state of Oregon are able to be given a name of a single varietal if it contains 80% of that varietal. There may very well be a small portion of another grape blended with the wine. For example, our 2007 Merlot is a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Malbec. The only exception to this rule is Oregon Pinot Noir. All Pinot Noirs must be at minimum 90% of the blend.
Each grape provides a different component in the blending process. The Cabernet Sauvignon offers structure and lasting tannins. The Malbec supplies a rich fruit taste and bouquet. Syrah provides a deep color and bold tannins for added longevity. The enjoyable part of blending your own wine is you can find the flavors you enjoy and experiment with each element from color and smell to taste. At the end of the day, every one of our blenders created their own unique blend. The class was fun and educational. Thanks to all who participated, we hope to see you again soon.
Here are a few pictures of Diana finding the right percentages and corking her creation.
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