A salute to perfect blends

Why do wine-makers blend wines? Perhaps it is to get that magic potion that will appeal to all. The French vintners have done it for centuries, creating regional blends such as a Bordeaux or a Burgundy that we recognize from our infant days as wine-drinkers.

In those less sophisticated and definitely less-knowledgeable days, we quaffed without question, not knowing which grape was which and not caring if the liquid gold or ruby was estate-bottled or from a single varietal.

Perhaps we have come full cycle as bolder vintners like those in Australia once again combine grapes with gay and delicious abandon. Only this time round, they bravely named the grapes.