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Mixing it up at Naggiar

Among the many steps that take a simple grape and turn it into that marvelous concoction we know as wine, perhaps the most important is the blend session.  Blending is the art of taking all of the different lots of all the different varietals, each with their own characteristics and putting them together to create a master blend.  There are two types of blends- a varietal blend such as our Sangiovese or Petite Sirah and a red or white blend such as our Mistero or Trois Demoiselles.  The goal in creating a varietal blend is to make a wine that has at least 75% of that varietal, then blend in additional varietals that will complement the main varietal without losing its defining characteristics.  The goal in creating a non-varietal red or white blend is to take our best lots and combine them to create a wine that is a unique representation of our winery.  These types of blends are particularly exciting as they allow for more creativity, not having to adhere to the rules of varietal blends.

Naggiar offers a great opportunity for people to learn a little of the art of blending and to create their own master blend.  This Saturday, March 9th and Saturday, April 6th, winemaker Derek Irwin will be leading a blending seminar that explains the “hows and whys” of blending, with the opportunity to create your own master blend at the end. So if you’d like to learn more about blending and try your hand at creating your own master blend, there are still spots available for both sessions.