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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Wine Type
Style
Grape Variety
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La Purisima, Monastrell, Yecla, 2020
Medium-bodied
From vines on the Yecla plateau in Murcia at 500-900m, a simple but smartly dressed bottle....
OriginSpain
RegionYecla
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodePUR120
GrapeMonastrell
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Carinae, Malbec, Odile, Mendoza, 2021
Medium-bodied
Under a new, somewhat revolutionary label. From 90 year old vines at Cruz de Piedra, Maipú,...
OriginArgentina
RegionMendoza
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeCAE121
GrapeMalbec
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100% Sangiovese grown on sandstone and clay, given two years in oak; 70% in large neutral vats...
OriginItaly
RegionTuscany
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeTAK219
GrapeSangiovese & Merlot
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Carneros, Avant Garde Pinot Noir, 2020
Light to Medium Bodied
Carneros was co-founded by Taittinger in 1987 as a sparkling wine estate, but the quality of...
OriginUSA
RegionNapa
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCAR120
GrapePinot Noir
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Piekenierskloof, Stonedance, Hutton Red, Swartland, 2020
Medium Bodied
A pleasing blend of halves of Shiraz and Grenache, all in barrel, 20% new, named after a type...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionSwartland
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeSTO620
GrapeShiraz & Grenache
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Pure Mourvèdre, and a superb wine. Completely opaque purple in the glass. There is a savoury...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePEG520
GrapeMourvedre
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A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre with Syrah being the dominant grape. Glossy, polished...
OriginFrance
RegionFaugeres
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Magnum150cl
CodeLIQ919
GrapeSyrah, Mourvedre & Grenache
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Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres Rouge, 2021
Medium bodied
The estate’s principal wine, an unoaked, life-enhancing blend of Grenache and Syrah with a...
OriginFrance
RegionFaugeres
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeLIQ121
GrapeGrenache, Syrah & Carignan
A bright, hugely pleasing and honest country red: from halves of Grenache and Syrah, showing...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeGRV121
GrapeGrenache & Syrah
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This is the 19th consecutive vintage we have shipped of this deliciously fruity Côtes du...
OriginFrance
RegionRhone
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeESZ121
GrapeGrenache, Cinsault & Syrah
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Vega del Rayo, Rioja, Vendimia Seleccionada, 2020
Medium Bodied
A blend of about 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, a cheerful, oaked (American and Russian)...
OriginSpain
RegionRioja
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeVEG220
GrapeTempranillo
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Bodegas Borsao, Garnacha, Joven, Campo de Borja, 2022
Medium Bodied
Bodegas Borsao is a big co-operative, marketing wines from over 600 growers whose land...
OriginSpain
RegionCampo de Borja
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBOR322
GrapeGrenache