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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MAGNUM Domaine Vendome, Crozes-Hermitage, Les Coulaires, 2023
Light to Medium Bodied
Les Coulaires is sourced from two clay-limestone hillside parcels: Les Coulaires and Les...
OriginFrance
RegionRhone
ColourRed
ABV13%
Magnum150cl
CodeVEN923
GrapeSyrah

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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Wirra Wirra, Catapult Shiraz, McLaren Vale, 2022
Full bodied
"Greg Trott’s plan to build a trebuchet (a medieval siege engine, though...
OriginAustralia
RegionBarossa Valley
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeWIR422
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

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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
CodeKIR319

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"Transparent crimson. Sweet start and lots of pleasure and saline interest already though...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeORA120
GrapeSyrah, Grenache & Mourvedre

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The principal wine here. It’s a very superior Bardolino, for two reasons: a high - 80% -...
OriginItaly
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeLET624
GrapeCorvina & Rondinella

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This is a new wine from this organic estate near the southeast corner of Lake Garda. 80% of...
OriginItaly
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeLET722
GrapeCorvina & Merlot

Just seven producers farm vines in this tiny IGP. Old vine Carignan made with a short...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCLA122
GrapeCarignan

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MAGNUM Château Meyney, Saint-Estephe, 2016
Medium Bodied
"Tasted blind. Very dark crimson. Intense Indian ink on the nose. Give me my calligraphy...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Magnum150cl
CodeMEX916
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot


Château Meyney, Saint-Estephe, 2016
Medium Bodied
"Tasted blind. Very dark crimson. Intense Indian ink on the nose. Give me my calligraphy...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeMEX116
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

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Vieille Dynastie, Lalande de Pomerol, 2019
Medium Bodied
This small appellation adjoins Pomerol to the north, and it is capable of producing wines...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeVID119
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc