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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Style
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Organic / Biodynamic
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Le Petit Pont Rouge, IGP Pays d'Oc, 2023
Medium Bodied
Generously fruited red based on Grenache with some Cinsault for fruit and Cabernet for...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePEP623
GrapeGrenache, Cinsault & Cabernet Sauvignon

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La Salette, IGP Côtes de Gascogne Rouge, 2023
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
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeSAL623
GrapeTannat, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

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
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeSAL622
GrapeTannat, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

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Les Pradelles, IGP Herault, 2023
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
CodePRD123
GrapeCarignan & Grenache

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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

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Deeply coloured, properly extracted red, burly but also lightfooted: the dense, brambly fruit...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeDGA322
GrapeCarignan, Grenache & Syrah

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From the Maison family on the plateau of Pomerol, a well-oaked example already showing...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeMAZ120
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc

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Grown on clay-limestone soils in La Clape (a “heap of pepples” in the Occitan language, the...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeCSP721
GrapeSyrah & Mourvedre

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An absolute gem of a wine. This quality from Rhone or Bordeaux would be double the price. 50%...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Magnum150cl
CodeMAB922
GrapeMourvedre, Syrah & Grenache

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Mas des Brousses, Terrasses du Larzac, 2022
Full-Bodied
An absolute gem of a wine. This quality from Rhone or Bordeaux would be double the price. 50%...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeMAB222
GrapeMourvedre, Syrah & Grenache

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Mas des Brousses, Cleo, Terasses de Larzac, 2023
Full-Bodied
"Incredible purity of squashed strawberries and red plum. Fresh acidity meets silky, fine...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeMAB323
GrapeMourvedre, Syrah & Grenache

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Gravieres de la Brandille, Ame, Bordeaux Superieur, 2016
Medium Bodied
From 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a selection of older vines on prime gravel and...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGRC016
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Sauvignon