Tips for better reds

[winemaker81]

To add to blend stories. Last year we were bench testing Foch to blend with Chambourcin. Our testers guessed we would like the 50/50 blend best but it was the bottom of the list.
This week we did a quick bench test of two Chelois batches. Again the 50/50 blend was not the best.
Assuming may end up with something unpleasant and certainly is not the best method for blending.

Many moons ago I made a 50/50 Chardonnay/Seyval blend. It was pretty good, but not great.

A couple of years ago during a Finger Lakes tour, I tasted four different Chardonnay/Seyval blends. Each was 60/40 or 40/60. One or the other had to be a higher proportion, and both combinations worked. These were at 4 different wineries.

I have 2 carboys each Chardonnel and Vidal. In the spring when we bottle, I'm going to bench test a few blends. It may turn out that we bottle just varietals, but it will be a fun experiment.