If you're looking for some of the best red wines in the world, then a blended Bordeaux, or southern Rhone is going to be a clear winner. With two main styles, Bordeaux offers either the "Left Bank" option using Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot, or the "Right Bank" option using Merlot & Cabernet Franc. In the Rhone valley, the "GSM" is a commonly used combination of grapes in the various "villages" appellations along with, of course, the mighty Chateauneuf-du-Pape (which can use 13 different authorised varieties), but is dominated by Grenache Noir (plus Syrah & Mourvedre). Other well-known European blends include most Portuguese reds using Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), leading us nicely to the classic Rioja wines from northern Spain which, in many cases, combine a majority of Tempranillo with some Garnacha (plus the occasional minority additions of Graciano & Mazuelo). In Australia, the Barossa region has long been known for wines combining Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon and, in wines which appear to be a single varietal, there are often other grapes being used as long as they don't exceed 15% of the blend. There's no need to mention this fact anywhere on the label, so please carry on enjoying these bottles whichever you choose to drink. If you're a bit of a "wine nerd", why not try and decipher the mysterious grape additions in your favourite Aussie red? All of these different red wine blends will appear around the world wherever these varietals are planted. Happy red wine hunting!
