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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Organic / Biodynamic
Vintage
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Hand harvested and picked and vinified with whole bunches from vines planted in he 1960s. Only...
OriginFrance
RegionRhone
ColourRed
ABV15%
Bottle75cl
CodeGAR421
GrapeGrenache & Mouvedre
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Save £18.60
This is from 50% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre and 25% Syrah. Tasting this with Sébastien Clement...
OriginFrance
ColourRed
ABV14%
CodeGAR323
GrapeGrenache, Mourvedre & Syrah
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Young Sébastien Clement runs this domaine, having gained experience in the northern Rhône,...
OriginFrance
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeGAR222
GrapeCinsault
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Domaine Verzier, St Joseph, La Madone 2020
Full Bodied
From 50 year old vines around the cellar near a statue of the Madonna. 18 months in...
OriginFrance
RegionRhone
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeVER420
GrapeSyrah
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Vineyards were planted here by the Romans but abandoned after phylloxera; and only revived from...
OriginFrance
RegionRhone
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeVER320
GrapeSyrah
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Domaine Verzier, St Joseph, Empreinte 2021
Full Bodied
The 2020 vintage won 97/100 and Best in Show at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards....
OriginFrance
RegionRhone
ColourRed
ABV12%
Bottle75cl
CodeVER221
GrapeSyrah
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Domaine Vendome, Cornas, Baryte, 2021
Medium Bodied
The Roudier family at vendome now farm just under a hectare of Cornas, passed on to them by...
OriginFrance
RegionRhone
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeVEN421
GrapeSyrah
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Domaine Vendome, Crozes-Hermitage, Ergeron, 2020
Full Bodied
From 40 year old parcels at Les Châssis Est near Mercurol and Les Châssis Sud near Pont de...
OriginFrance
RegionRhone
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeVEN320
GrapeSyrah
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From parcels at Chassis, marked by rolled stones.Tasting note top follow.
OriginFrance
RegionRhone
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeVEN121
GrapeSyrah
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Climate change has given Germany excellent Pinot Noirs. Crisp red plum and blackberry flavours...
OriginGermany
RegionPfalz
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeZET220
GrapePinot Noir
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This estate is a 15-hectare plot solely dedicated to producing Shiraz of exceptional quality....
OriginAustralia
RegionBarossa Valley
ColourRed
ABV15%
Bottle75cl
CodeGOL119
GrapeShiraz
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Set up by two friends in 1998 this is a boutique winery that is taking advantage of Clare...
OriginAustralia
RegionClare Valley
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeKIR220