Tempranillo leads in this typical Spanish blend which boasts notes of ripe red cherries and plum. Subtle tobacco and dark chocolate characters also show themselves after a bit of time in the glass. This is bright and easy-sipping!

Origin: Nobody really knows, the tradition of blending dates back millennia to when grape varieties were co-planted together. Mainly Grown In: All over the world! Key Facts: Blended wines are nothing new to many of us, they could be red, white, rosé or sparkling, the fact of the matter is, if you’ve drunk wine before, the chances are that you’ve had a blended wine. Simply put, this is a blend of more than one grape variety. Whilst this might not actually be a grape variety in its own right, it is important to highlight some of the world’s most famous blended wines and regions. We start with Bordeaux, an area in southwest France that relies almost exclusively on blended red and white wine utilising a number of grape varieties. Then we have Rhône in southern France, notably the southern part of the region, famous for blended red and white wines under the Côtes du Rhône banner. Or perhaps Champagne, the world’s most famous fizz is predicated on the use and blending of three core grape varieties. That said, perhaps the spiritual home of blended wine is France, but it is now almost impossible to find a wine-producing country anywhere in the world that doesn't blend. Fun Fact: Traditionally in Bordeaux, winemakers were permitted to blend up to five grapes to make their red wines; Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. But, things have changed and the introduction of a few more varieties has now come into place.