Find Your Wine Style.
Whether you want to make a single grape varietal wine or a blend, RJS Craft Winemaking kits are made with the finest juices and concentrates to make your favourite wine styles. Use our wine selector to learn more about wines you love and possibly discover new wines that might be your next favourite.
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Italy Red Blend
The Grape
There are 21 important red grape varieties used to make wine in Italy. The most important of these is the indigenous Sangiovese, both for the quality of wine it produces and for how widespread it is grown throughout the country. While it is especially important in Tuscany, it is now the most planted red variety in Italy’s vineyards. Other notable native Italian varieties include Barbera, Nebbiolo and Aglianico. Nowadays Italian vintners also blend in grapes native to France, most notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah.
The Wines
Red blend wines in Italy are made in diverse styles depending upon the winemakers and the particular blend of grapes. Today’s modern wines are typically big and bold with firm tannins and good structure. Super Tuscans tend to be the fruitiest with flavours and aromas of fresh raspberries and blackberries, while also incorporating earthy and leathery notes. Red Blend wines are often aged in oak so their fruit flavours are supported by subtle hints of smoke and vanilla.
The Occasions
Modern Italian style red blends, like most Italian wines, are extremely food-friendly and pair well with a wide range of foods. An antipasto platter with meats and rich hard cheeses will stand up to the flavours of these medium to full-bodied wines. Your best bet is to pair your Italian red blend with meat as many typical Italian dishes feature braised beef and veal.