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.

 

[Hazelemere]

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.

Agreed. Do blends in a glass before mixing gallons with gallons.

 

[vayne’s vino]

Welcome to WMT. I have noticed that all the usual suspects have commented with their normal excellent comments. :>} .
since you have been doing this for a few years, you have learned that everything is not as it seems. Almost all kits are designed for making a successful wine. as BPL stated: Keep in mind that kits are manufactured for the success of the customer and not necessarily for the best tasting wines.
After being on this forum for almost a year and making wine for about 2, I have learned a lot. This is a hobby. EXPERIMENT. Use different yeasts, mix ingredients into the wines. BLEND your wines. That has made a BIG difference in the taste and mouth feel. I currently have about 400 bottles (I make a lot of kits now!) and over the last few months, I have blended CS with Syrah and Merlot. Last blend, I took 4 bottles of CS (from 4 different wine kit makers) and blended with 2 bottles of Syrah and 1 of Merlot. then bottled them. The sum is much better than the parts.
Just my thoughts as still a newbie.

Christopher - Many thanks for your comments; seems like good advice. I'm squirreling all of this away for when I get some time to apply it.