Red Blend

A wine made from two or more red grapes rather than a single variety. Blending lets the winemaker balance fruit, structure and softness — often Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah in American versions.

Most are dry, but American red blends are often made in a ripe, fruit-forward, smooth style that reads as sweeter than a traditional dry red. A few are genuinely off-dry — the label usually signals it.

Blends tend to be smoother and more crowd-friendly, since the winemaker is deliberately smoothing out any one grape's rough edges. That makes them a safe pour when you're serving people with different tastes.

Very flexible — burgers, pizza, barbecue, roast meats and hard cheeses. Bolder blends handle grilled and smoky food especially well.