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.

Filter Wines

Wine Type

Style

Grape Variety

Country

Region

Grower

Dietary Requirement

Organic / Biodynamic

Vintage

Azienda Agricola Boasso, Langhe Nebbiolo, 2021

Given one year in barrel.  Youthful tone. Scent of red berries with vanilla. Juicy strawberry...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionPiedmont

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeBOA721

GrapeNebbiolo

Discover More
Le Lupinaie, Ciliegiolo, Rosso Maremma, 2023

Buy 12
Save £19.80

Le Lupinaie, Ciliegiolo, Rosso Maremma, 2023

For years we have hunted for a Ciliegiolo – this grape is, according to the latest genetic...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionTuscany

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeLUP323

GrapeCiliegiolo

Discover More
MAGNUM Le Lupinaie, Morellino di Scansano, 2022

Buy 12
Save £41.94

MAGNUM Le Lupinaie, Morellino di Scansano, 2022

It's not just English people who long to live on a farm in Tuscany - in 1991  Aldo...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionTuscany

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Magnum150cl

CodeLUP922

GrapeSangiovese

Discover More
Le Lupinaie, Morellino di Scansano, 2022

Buy 12
Save £19.80

Le Lupinaie, Morellino di Scansano, 2022

It's not just English people who long to live on a farm in Tuscany - in 1991  Aldo...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionTuscany

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeLUP122

GrapeSangiovese

Discover More
Domaine Montangeron, Beaujolais Villages, 2023

Buy 12
Save £17.40

Domaine Montangeron, Beaujolais Villages, 2023

The reputation of the whole region of Beaujolais was badly damaged by the swill of Beaujolais...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBeaujolais

ColourRed

ABV13%

Bottle75cl

CodeMON123

GrapeGamay

Discover More
Domaine Montangeron, Moulin-a-Vent, 2022

Buy 12
Save £22.74

Domaine Montangeron, Moulin-a-Vent, 2022

Moulin-à-Vent ranks amongst the finest of the Cru villages, with vines growing on distinctive...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBeaujolais

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeMON422

GrapeGamay

Discover More
Domaine Lagneau, Regnie, Vieilles Vignes, Cuvee Gerard, 2022

Buy 12
Save £19.80

Jancis Robinson
Domaine Lagneau, Regnie, Vieilles Vignes, Cuvee Gerard, 2022

One of our long-term favourites, from 60-100 year old vines on the granitic hills just to the...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBeaujolais

ColourRed

ABV13.4%

Bottle75cl

CodeLAG322

GrapeGamay

Discover More
Lagneau, Morgon Vieilles Vignes, 2022

Buy 12
Save £21.54

Lagneau, Morgon Vieilles Vignes, 2022

Glorious fruit. Really glorious. Generous flavours of raspberry, red cherry and blueberry...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBeaujolais

ColourRed

ABV14.3%

Bottle75cl

CodeLAG622

GrapeGamay

Discover More
Taliano, Blagheur, Nebbiolo d'Alba, 2021

Buy 12
Save £22.20

Taliano, Blagheur, Nebbiolo d'Alba, 2021

A Blagheur, in the local half-French dialect, is one who exaggerates. But this is no bluffer...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionPiedmont

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeTAN321

GrapeNebbiolo

Discover More
MAGNUM Château Barrejat, Madiran Vieux Ceps, 2022

Buy 6
Save £23.37

MAGNUM Château Barrejat, Madiran Vieux Ceps, 2022

Vieux Céps = Old vines, and these are dramatically ancient, some over 80 years old and some...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionSouth-West

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Magnum150cl

CodeBAJ422

GrapeTannat

Discover More
Chateau Florie-Aude, Bordeaux, 2020

Buy 12
Save £15.00

Chateau Florie-Aude, Bordeaux, 2020

From vineyards east of St André de Cubzac and the Côte de Bourg; and named after Florie and...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBordeaux

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeFLO120

GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc

Discover More
Rocca, Negroamaro, Salento, 2022

Buy 12
Save £14.34

Rocca, Negroamaro, Salento, 2022

Well-made example of this masculine southern grape, aged part in stainless steel and part in...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionPuglia

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeROD222

GrapeNegroamaro

Discover More

We use cookies. By using the website you agree with our use of cookies. For more information, please read our privacy policy.

Okay, got it!