Master of Wine:

Cuvée and Blend

Cuvée meets Blend: Two are better than one

Cuvée or blend, they both mean the same thing: at least two wines are mixed together. What's the secret? Experience and craftsmanship. For our Master of Wine Richard Bampfield, they are "another way to achieve more complexity and balance in wine".

Blending in the wine cellar

Whether it's a Cuvée in France, a Blend in South Africa, or a Verschnitt in Germany – the technique is basically the same worldwide: each wine is treated individually right up until fermentation. Only then are the flavours blended together.

Cape Blend vs. Bordeaux Blend

With a Cape Blend, Pinotage is always part of the mix. A glass tastes like a warm sunset after an endless summer's day. A Bordeaux cuvée, on the other hand, usually has a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot base. It tastes like a walk through the vineyards at dawn.

Recipe: Grilled pineapple with frozen piña colada yoghurt and mint

If you like Piña Colada… then this dessert is your summer highlight. Caramelised pineapple from the grill meets fresh mint and a creamy coconut flavour: sweet, exotic, and wonderfully simple. With a light Riesling, it’s the perfect end to any dinner.