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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Brambly fruit. Honest, mildly rustic and characterful, better with food. Now-2026
OriginItaly
RegionSicily
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodePON621
GrapeNero D’Avola
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Carinae, Malbec, Harmonie, Mendoza, 2018
Medium, Full Bodied
From the ancient vines around the Carinae cellar winery in Maipú, given a year in French oak....
OriginArgentina
RegionMendoza
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCAE218
GrapeMalbec
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Carinae, Tannat, Harmonie, Mendoza, 2020
Medium, Full Bodied
From vines at 1100m. of altitude in the Uco Valley, given a few months in a mix of French and...
OriginArgentina
RegionMendoza
ColourRed
ABV14.3%
Bottle75cl
CodeCAE320
GrapeTannat
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A blend of 50% Carignan, 35% Grenache Noir and 15% Mourvèdre. From the Schenk family this has...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeDGA222
GrapeCarignan, Grenache & Mourvedre
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Badenhorst Family Red, Swartland, 2020
Full Bodied
The blend for Adi Badenhorst's Family Red - based on vineyards around his Kalmoesfontein...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionCoastal
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBAD820
GrapeSyrah/Shiraz Blend, Cinsault & Grenache
Conviviale, Primitivo, Salento, 2021
Medium bodied
Gutsy grape of Croatian origin (aka Tribidrag), genetically identical to Zinfandel. Bittersweet...
OriginItaly
RegionPuglia
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCNV121
GrapePrimitivo
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Gruff M. Perromat’s top wine, from about 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeBDU618
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
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Krohn, Port, Rio Torto Reserva, NV
Full, Sweet
The small house of Krohn is perhaps better known for excellent colheita tawnies, but this...
OriginPortugal
RegionDouro
ColourRed
ABV20%
Bottle75cl
CodeKRO2NV
GrapeTouriga Nacional
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Château La Plaige, Bordeaux Supérieur, 2022
Medium Bodied
Made by Frédéric and Lise Naud from vineyards near the Dordogne river. This is the 16th...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePLA122
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
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"Full bottle just 1,169 g. 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc....
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeGRC119
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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From one plot of 75 year old vines of Grenache Noir. This style of Vin Doux Naturel (literally...
OriginFrance
RegionRoussillon
ColourRed
ABV17%
Bottle75cl
CodeFON620
GrapeGrenache
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Domaine Fontanel, Maury Sec, Arrels 2022
Full Bodied
Arrels means “Roots” in the Catalan language. This is Elodie and Matthieu’s love letter...
OriginFrance
RegionRoussillon
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeFON522
GrapeGrenache & Mourvedre