Mashup Wine Names

The wines in my last two posts have had what I’ll call mashup names:

Petite Petit – a blend of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot

Mo Zin –  a blend of Mourvèdre and Zinfandel, plus others (though it’s not clear if the Mo really stands for Mourvèdre or not. They also have a Mo Jo without Mourvèdre and they say things like Drink Mo Better Wine)

This got me thinking about other possible mashup names. So as a service to the wine industry I offer the following (not-so-serious) ideas free of charge. Now they may not all make sense oenologically-speaking, but that rarely stops a marketer with a branding idea!

Merlognier – Merlot + Viognier

The Merlot could be co-fermented with a small bit of Viognier like they do with Syrah and Viognier in Côte-Rôtie.

Marsangiovese – Marsanne + Sangiovese

The Marsanne could play the role that Trebbiano or Malvasia used to play in the Chianti blend.

ShiraZin – Shiraz + Zinfandel

I’m surprised this one doesn’t already exist.

Charbonarda – Charbono + Bonarda

This one could work. In fact, depending on where you are, they may even be the same grape.

Dolcettocai – Dolcetto + Tocai

This one makes no sense.

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Please suggest some other examples in the comments!

11 thoughts on “Mashup Wine Names”

  1. Shiraz + Malbec = Shirbec… obviously a dessert wine 😉
    Beerenauslese + Sangiovese = Beeriovese… only because it sounds like Beer-ios, the proud breakfast of any self-respecting frat brother.
    Riesling + Verdejo = Rieslidejo… because it belongs in a Harry Belafonte sing-a-long: Dey, Rieslidej, Rieslidej, Rieslidejo, daylight come and… well, you get it

  2. Since nobody said that these wines had to be drinkable –

    Shiraz + Auxerrois = Shirauxerrois (Thanks to Michigan by the Bottle for introducing me to Auxerrois)
    Roussanne + Sauvignon Blanc = Roussauvignon Blanc
    Lambrusco + Cortese = Lambruscortese (Sounds like an Italian sports car).

  3. If you ever get into French-American hybrid grapes (and to be honest, I don’t recommend it), you’ll encounter a lot of weird names like these. I once had a Chardonel, a cross between Chardonnay and Seyval. I love how it sounds like a Chardonnay knockoff sold in gas stations and sketchy grocery stores.

    For a fake one, how about Barbera+Rondinella? That’s right: Barbarella.

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