I think that many of the hybrids are market driven. Truth is most of the best bottles are still 1 estate, 1 varietal imo. But that requires the estate to be damned sure they're having a good crop because if not they are screwed. Now when you blend varietals from multiple vineyards you mitigate the risk but you also (at times) dilute the quality. I'd still love me some super-tuscans and there are some amazing blends from all over the world but there are some that are done purely for economic gain. Is that what you mean?

Smoky Beaujalais? Sounds interesting. I remember when the restaurant we worked at would sell shit bottles of Beaujolais nouveau for like $50 when they bought it for $5. Man people can be suckers.

Seriously, what I wouldn't give to be teaching a wine training class with you again. Those were the days. Seriously. I saw Brian Dufek over Christmas, do you remember him? His wife and mine are good friends. We talked all about being able to open really nice bottles every week and present them to the staff. That was fun, I learned a lot.