How Wines Are Organized

Wineries must enter grape blend percentages for their wines in order to be filtered or sorted by variety or blend.


Single-Varietal Wine

Contains 75% or more of a single variety (most countries require 85% or more)

Variety-Based Blend

For wines that are listed as by a single variety but a blend is indicated. (e.g. "Merlot Blend")

Contains between 50-75% of a single variety

Duel Variety Blend

For wines which contain two dominant grapes in the blend. (e.g. "Grenache-Syrah Blend")

In cases where there are 2 primary varieties in which each grape accounts for **more than 33%** of the blend.

Wine Color Blend

For wines that are blends but do not apply to the single or duel variety blend.

These wines look to the color of the wine in order to be sorted (e.g. "White Blend" or "Red Blend")

Sparkling Wine

For wines, listed as Sparkling wine, these are classified by their residual sugar (RS).

  • Brut Nature 0-3 g/L RS *(aka Brut Zero or No Added Suger)*
  • Extra Brut 0-6 g/L RS
  • Brut 0-12 g/L RS
  • Extra Dry 12-17 g/L RS (aka Extra Sec, Extra Seco)
  • Dry 17-32 g/L RS *(aka Sec, Seco)*
  • Demi-Sec 32-50 g/L RS *(aka Semi-Seco)*
  • Doux 50+ g/L RS *(aka Sweet, Dulce)*

When no RS is defined they are grouped by winemaking method as Sparkling. It's possible to see these wines based on their blend rules as well. However, for ease of discovery, the general Sparkling classification is also included.

Rosé Wine, Fortified, and Orange Wine

For wines which are listed as Rosé, Fortified, and Orange Wine.

This sort groups wines by winemaking method. It's possible to see these wines based on their blend rules as well. However, for ease of discovery, they are also pulled into separate sections base on their winemaking style.

What about "Bordeaux" or "Rhône" blends?

Many wineries choose a traditional regional wine as reference to create their own wine blend. Here are a few examples:

  • "Bordeaux Blend" - Referencing the regional wines of Bordeaux, France, this blend typically includes grapes like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. A "Bordeaux Blend" may also feature a white wine blend which includes Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
  • "Rhône Blend" - This wine references both red and white wine blends from the Rhône Valley of France. There are more than 20 varieties used throughout this region, so there is a lot of variety. That being said, the key red grapes used include Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Key white grapes include Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier.
Why Does Wine Folly Not Label Blends with a Regional Wine Name?

It would be possible to create navigational elements to sort wines through their variety make up and call them a "Bordeaux" or "Rhône" Blend. However, we chose to stop calling blends after a region for the following reasons:

  • Named wine regions such as Bordeaux, Champagne, and Chianti are protected by appellation laws in their countries.
  • Each region is unique and should not need to reference another when producing high quality wines. Giving homage to the source of a wine blend is both honorable and respectful, but calling a wine blend after another region is closer to a form of copyright or trademark infringement.
  • The appellation laws in regions like Rioja or the Rhône Valley are fluid and may change over time. Thus, calling a wine blend after a region may not be accurate if blending rules change. This creates inaccuracy and administration burden over time.
  • The core elements and tastes of a wine are influenced by origin place, grape variety, and winemaking method. These 3 elements offer opportunities to discuss taste and flavor.