The blending of different grape varieties provides the winemaker with the potential to produce a wine that is greater than the sum of its component parts. When the grapes work together in harmony they can resonate and bring out the best in each other. Blends present a challenge that the winemaker must rise to. Try these delicious examples and see what we mean.

The Australian Blends offer costs £68 and includes three bottles each of the following four wines.

Broken Earth Semillon/Chardonnay 2007: From grapes sourced from Australia’s premium grape-growing areas, this wine has a touch of lime from the Semillon followed up with citrus apricot fruit from the Chardonnay.

One Chain ‘The Opportunist’ 2008: A blend of Colombard, Sauvignon and Riesling, this interesting and refreshing blend has vibrant, grassy complex grapefruit and citrus flavours.

Cranswick Lakefield Shiraz/Cabernet 2008: Always popular, this classic blend has flavours of mulberry fruit and spice with hints of dark chocolate.

Hidden Rock Petit Verdot/Cabernet Sauvignon 2008: Petit Verdot is a classic Bordeaux grape variety that adds colour and ‘seasoning’ to many of the wines produced there. When blended with Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia it has produced a wine that has rich dark berry characteristics and smooth, subtle vanilla flavours.

Oxford Mail: buy now logo for wine

The Oxford Times Wine Club is run in association with The Oxford Wine Company. Free delivery of your wine is available within 30 miles of Oxford. Please allow up to ten working days for delivery of your wine. If you have any questions about your order, contact The Oxford Wine Company on 01865 301144 quoting The Oxford Times Wine Club or email: info@oxfordwine.co.uk

If you would like to buy unmixed or mixed cases of wines that you have particularly liked from The Oxford Times Wine Club at the same special discounted prices, please contact Theo Sloot at The Oxford Wine Company on 01865 301144 or email theo@oxfordwine.co.uk