Red Wines
We offer more red wine than white on our website… Well, there is a view that a meal without red wine is like a day without sunshine…
As a general rule red grape varieties tend to perform at their best in warmer temperatures than white. So whilst one could argue that the very greatest reds of the world come from marginal zones where the local vines need to be coaxed to full ripeness - for example Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux, Pinot Noir in Burgundy and Syrah in the northern Rhône - there is abundant decent red wine available now from countries or regions enjoying a Mediterranean climate; in particular the south of France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, California, etc.
While certain grape varieties are associated with particular countries or regions (for example Sangiovese with central Italy, Tempranillo with Spain, Malbec with Argentina, Carmenère with Chile, the home-grown Pinotage with South Africa, Zinfandel with California), it is the varieties best known for making top French wine - Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Syrah (Shiraz), Pinot Noir, and, to a lesser extent, Grenache and Mourvèdre - which have been widely planted all over the new world.
A word about ripeness, alcohol levels and climate change. Red wines, even more than white, are becoming more alcoholic. This is as a result of a number of different factors working together. First, consumers now seek riper wines - wines made from grapes which are picked properly ripe, with higher sugar levels which, once fermented out, become higher alcohol levels. (My theory as to why riper wines are so much more popular is related to us having become accustomed to higher sugar levels in a modern diet). Better management of the vines (in particular the "canopy" of the leaves) and more sophisticated weather forecasting has enabled growers to ripen their grapes better and pick at the right moment.
And on top of that is climate change. Thirty years ago reds from Bordeaux used to be bottled at 12-12.5%; since the hot 2009 vintage most examples show 13-14.5%, and some wines actually contain over 15% of alcohol.
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Domaine Montangeron, Beaujolais Villages, 2023
Light-Medium Bodied
The reputation of the whole region of Beaujolais was badly damaged by the swill of Beaujolais...
OriginFrance
RegionBeaujolais
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeMON123
GrapeGamay
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Domaine Lagneau, Beaujolais-Villages, Cuvee Jeannine, 2022
Light-Medium Bodied
This is from ancient (60-100 year old) vines on steep schist and granite slopes in...
OriginFrance
RegionBeaujolais
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeLAG122
GrapeGamay
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Domaine Lagneau, Regnie, Vieilles Vignes, Cuvee Gerard, 2022
Light-Medium Bodied
Gérard is the father chez Lagneau. As ever - we have been shipping this ever since the 2001...
OriginFrance
RegionBeaujolais
ColourRed
ABV13.4%
Bottle75cl
CodeLAG322
GrapeGamay
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Lagneau, Morgon Vieilles Vignes, 2022
Light-Medium Bodied
Glorious fruit. Really glorious. Large notes of strawberry and raspberry abound. There is some...
OriginFrance
RegionBeaujolais
ColourRed
ABV14.3%
Bottle75cl
CodeLAG622
GrapeGamay
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Taliano, Blagheur, Nebbiolo d'Alba, 2021
Medium Bodied
A Blagheur, in the local half-French dialect, is one who exaggerates. But this is no bluffer...
OriginItaly
RegionPiedmont
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeTAN321
GrapeNebbiolo
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La Chapelle des Bois, Fleurie, Grand Pre, 2022
Light-Medium Bodied
Fleurie has an association with “flowery” – but the best wines can have substance too....
OriginFrance
RegionBeaujolais
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeCHB122
GrapeGamay
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Old vines indeed, over 80 years and some pre-phylloxera, so perhaps over 150 years old: 80%...
OriginFrance
RegionSouth-West
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Magnum150cl
CodeBAJ421
GrapeTannat
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Chateau Florie-Aude, Bordeaux 2020
Medium Bodied
Named after Florie and Aude, the two daughters of winemaker Daniel Brulatout, a ripe and...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeFL0120
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Rocca, Negroamaro, Salento, 2021
Medium Bodied
Well-made example of this masculine southern grape, hearty with some structure but also ready...
OriginItaly
RegionPuglia
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeROD221
GrapeNegroamaro
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La Rose Trimoulet, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 2019
Full Bodied
75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, from the Brisson family who have been making wine since the...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeLRT119
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Franc
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Vieux Chantecaille, Saint-Emilion 2020
Full Bodied
80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, into 50% new oak. Mickael Moze-Berthon has only 1¼ hectares...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeVCH120
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Franc
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Attractive typicity: aromas of sweet plum with a leafy touch, followed by a supple and lightly...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeVIC322
GrapeMerlot