Wine

There's a reason blends are so popular: The good ones showcase the best of all the grapes. They also can have more harmony than varietals: One grape "fills in the holes" of the other, and vice versa. In the seriously tasty 2012 Chateau Bonnet Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon-Muscadelle ($14), the classic Bordeaux mix of the first two grapes (in which sauv blanc's fresh lilt is enhanced by semillon's lush mouthfeel), the muscadelle adds some bracing salinity and minerality. The brisk, mouthwatering finish makes it a versatile wine at the table with most any seafood or chicken preparation, from light to rich.

Available at Thomas, Hennepin Lake and the Wine Market.

Bill Ward