Curious Case October 2025 - The Art of the Blend
The Art of the Blend: A Global Showcase – October’s Curious Case
Sometimes, the most compelling wines aren't born from a single star grape, but from a masterful collaboration. This October, our Curious Case, "The Art of the Blend," is a testament to the incredible skill of winemakers who expertly combine different grapes to create something more complex, balanced, and complete than any one component could be on its own.
But this isn't just a random collection of blended wines. We’ve curated this case as a series of compelling head-to-head comparisons, inviting you to taste the nuances that come from blending in different corners of the world. It’s a showcase of how two grapes, or three, can tell a completely different story depending on where they are grown and who is guiding the process.
The Great Blending Showdown
Get ready for an exciting journey as you compare and contrast some of the world’s most iconic blends:
Bordeaux Blend vs. New World Bordeaux: We’re starting with a classic. The Chateau La Tessonniere, Medoc is a quintessential Left Bank Bordeaux, where Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead, giving the wine structure, dark fruit, and age-worthiness. Compare this to the Journey's End 'Pastor's Blend' from South Africa. This is a "Bordeaux-style blend," using the same grapes but grown in a different terroir, creating a new world take with bold, ripe fruit and a smoother, more approachable character.
Rhône Valley GSM vs. Australian GSM: Next, we move to a truly iconic blend. The Les Crus du Sud, Lirac is a brilliant example of a Southern Rhône GSM. Here, Grenache provides a juicy red fruit core, Syrah adds spice and colour, and Mourvèdre lends an earthy, savoury note. Taste the difference when you try the Apostrophe 'Possessive Reds' Blend from Australia. It uses the same grapes, but the sun-drenched vineyards of the Barossa Valley give it a bolder, richer, and more powerfully concentrated profile.
Traditional vs. Modern Tuscan Blends: Finally, we’re heading to Tuscany for a lesson in tradition and rebellion. The Cantine Vittorio Innocenti Chianti Colli Senesi is a traditional Sangiovese-led blend, elegant and earthy with tart cherry notes.Now, taste the modern "Super Tuscan" approach with the Petra, 'Hebo', Toscana Rosso. This wine breaks the rules, blending Sangiovese with international grapes to create a style that is richer, more approachable and incredibly expressive.
This October, celebrate the artistry behind the bottle. It's a journey that will not only expand your palate but also deepen your understanding of why winemaking is truly a craft.
