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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Vintage
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Monier-Perréol, St Joseph, Terre Blanche, 2019
Full Bodied
The low-yielding production of Terre Blanche (40% new oak, "chauffe moyenne" - medium...
OriginFrance
RegionRhone
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeMOP119
GrapeSyrah
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Guillaume’s stand-out wine, from a super site and very old vines. Aromatic, black fruit with...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourRed
ABV 13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGUI020
GrapePinot Noir
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From vines planted in 1981; and at around 280m. of elevation the plot is quite exposed, so a...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourRed
ABV 13%
Bottle75
CodeHUB620
GrapePinot Noir
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Lequin-Colin, Santenay Rouge, 1er Cru La Comme, 2020
Medium Bodied
From a very well-sited south-east facing 1er Cru on the border with Chassagne- Montrachet....
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourRed
ABV 13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeLEQ720
GrapePinot Noir
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From plots in Les Saucours and Les Fourneaux. Aged in oak for 12 months, 20% new. Again, quite...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75
CodeGUI219
GrapePinot Noir
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Monier-Perréol, St Joseph Rouge, 2019
Medium Bodied
The straight Saint Joseph, 100% Syrah, comes from 30 year old vines near the cellar and goes...
OriginFrance
RegionRhone
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeMOP519
GrapeSyrah
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From two parcels, one of 50 years of age and one planted in 2000. Matured in oak for 12 months,...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle150cl
CodePAQ919
GrapePinot Noir
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Domaine des Fees, Côtes du Rhône, 2021
Medium Bodied
The Domaine of the Fairies! Certified organic, crafted at this brilliant co-operative focused...
OriginFrance
RegionCotes du Rhone
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeFEE121
GrapeGrenache, Syrah & Mourvedre
Barrel sample. Mid crimson. Dark-red fruit with some peppery oak spice (approximately 50% new...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourRed
ABV13%
Magnum75cl
CodeFAJ718MAG
GrapePinot Noir
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From halves of Grenache Noir and Carignan. Light, airy wine, wild strawberry and cherry-scented...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeCAZ121
GrapeGrenache Noir & Carignan
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Parti Pris translates as bias. OK, we are biased towards Pinot Noir here, with our shipments of...
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeCAZ421
GrapePinot Noir
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This is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. The warmth of the vintage really shines...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeLES622
GrapeGrenache & Syrah