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
Buy 12
Save £21.53
"Healthy pale crimson. Full of fresh fruit and bone dry on the finish. Easy to like. Serve...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEG622
GrapePinot Noir
Buy 12
Save £22.32
The recipe for this successful marriage of Bordeaux and the south has changed over recent...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeMAB120
GrapeMourvedre, Merlot & Syrah
Buy 12
Save £16.20
With fruit in part sourced from cool Limoux vineyards, crisp and classy, blended with riper...
OriginFrance
RegionPays d'Oc
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeAGW722
GrapePinot Noir
Buy 12
Save £21.53
From young vines of Syrah and Grenache, plus a little Mourvédre, grown in hot, dry and windy...
OriginFrance
RegionRoussillon
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeFON421
GrapeSyrah, Grenache & Mourvedre
Buy 12
Save £15.48
Le Petit Pont Rouge, IGP Pays d'Oc, 2022
Medium Bodied
Largely from Grenache, Cinsault and a little Cabernet Sauvignon. Bramble fruited but with a...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePEP622
GrapeGrenache, Cinsault & Cabernet Sauvignon
Buy 12
Save £13.14
La Salette, IGP Côtes de Gascogne Rouge, 2022
Light bodied
This is a light red which one could easily serve slightly chilled with lunch (at just 12.5%) or...
OriginFrance
RegionSouth-West
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeSAL622
GrapeTannat, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Buy 12
Save £13.68
Les Pradelles, IGP Herault, 2021
Light-Medium Bodied
Bottled at a smart new co-op at Cébazan in St.-Chinian, this is an easy-drinking blend of...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePRD121
GrapeCarignan & Grenache
Buy 12
Save £19.08
La Combe Saint Paul, Gres Rouges, La Clape, 2022
Medium Bodied
Named after the vineyard soils derived from grés rouges (red sandstone); 60% Syrah with 20%...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCSP622
GrapeSyrah, Grenache & Mourvedre
La Combe Saint Paul, Gres Rouges, La Clape, 2021
Medium Bodied
Named after the vineyard soils derived from grés rouges (red sandstone); 60% Syrah with 20%...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCSP621
GrapeSyrah, Mourvedre & Grenache
Buy 12
Save £21.53
Based on 45% Carignan with 35% Grenache and 20% Syrah, all in barrel, about 20% new: a blend at...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeDGA321
GrapeCarignan, Syrah & Grenache
From the Maison family on the plateau of Pomerol, a well-oaked example already showing...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeMAZ119
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
Magnum, Jean Guiton, Beaune, 1er Cru, Les Sizies, 2018
Medium Bodied
Riper fruit here, fresh and dried cherry. Spicy and generous, powerful and juicy even though...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourRed
ABV13%
Magnum1.5l
CodeGUI618
GrapePinot Noir