- Last updated on February 1, 2023
This is our Conundrum Red Blend review.
Are you after a rich, complex yet smooth and approachable red blend?
And what if I tell you that it pairs well with a vast variety of dishes at a very good value for your money?
Well, this is the wine you have been looking for! We liked it a lot!
Find below our Conundrum Red Blend full review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Conundrum Red Blend Review
- Brand: Conundrum
- Grape Varietal: Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Region: United States, California
- Tasting Notes: Cherry & Plum notes
- Glass & Serving: Bordeaux / 59-64 °F (15-18 °C) / Decant ~30 mins
- Storage: Up to 5 years
- Price Range: $18-$25
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Conundrum Red Blend review: What's its color?
Conundrum Red Blend wine has a deep garnet color with thick slowly falling legs.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
What does Conundrum Red Blend taste like?
Conundrum Red Blend is a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Petite Syrah grapes.
Is Conundrum Red Blend sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Conundrum Red Blend wine is a dry wine.
Dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Conundrum Red Blend review: Which food pairs well with it?
Conundrum Red Blend is smooth and a very versatile wine when it comes down to food pairings.
We find it pairs well with earthy and strong flavors.
Classic appetizers are mushroom pizza, mushroom agnolotti, and caramelized cauliflower to name some.
Meat wise favor grilled dishes, you have a wide selection here from duck, roasted chicken, pork, rabbit, grilled tenderloin, and beef bourguignon for example.
If you are a cheese lover our recommendations for you are wash-rind, semi-hard, and blue cheeses like Taleggio, Comte, Cheddar, and Gorgonzola.
Conundrum Red Blend review: What's its alcohol content?
Conundrum Red Blend wine’s alcohol content is 14.6%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of Conundrum Red Blend wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have a higher calories per glass than a wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per grams vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per grams of carbs, which include sugar.
What is Conundrum?
Here is an extract from the Conundrum bottle itself:
“It all began at the dinner table.
Charlie Wagner Sr., who co-founded Caymus Vineyards in 1972 with his wife, Lorna, and son, Chuck, would mix wines to find the perfect glass to pair with his meal.
No one blended wines back then, so his experiment was pretty radical.
Fast forward to 1989, when Conundrum White was born, quickly taking off with its mysterious, tropical notes and amazing versatility.
Conundrum Red, serious yet approachable, was introduced in 2011.
Today, it’s Charlie’s grandson, Charlie Wagner II, who keeps Conundrum as original as ever.”
Conclusion
This is a rich, complex yet smooth, and approachable red blend that for roughly ~$20 offers a great value for your money.
Cherry, plum, baking chocolate, and nutmeg and clove finish will complement many dishes from veggie, pasta, a vast variety of red meats, and our beloved cheeses.
Try it with mushroom agnolotti, grilled tenderloin, or Gorgonzola cheese and it’ll be a delight. At least it was for me!
If you have never tried it, I’m not entirely sure what are you still waiting for?
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Enjoy!
