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.

Filter Wines

Wine Type

Style

Grape Variety

Country

Region

Grower

Dietary Requirement

Organic / Biodynamic

Vintage

Chateau Les Combes, Lussac-Saint-Emilion, 2020

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Save £19.14

Chateau Les Combes, Lussac-Saint-Emilion, 2020

From one 4.8 hectare plot with thin soils over limestone, among the highest in the appellation....

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBordeaux

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeGRC420

GrapeMerlot

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Vieille Dynastie, Lalande de Pomerol, 2019

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Save £23.94

Vieille Dynastie, Lalande de Pomerol, 2019

This small appellation adjoins Pomerol to the north, and it is capable of producing wines...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBordeaux

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeVID119

GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc

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Chateau Les Gravieres de la Brandille, Bordeaux Superieur, 2020

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Save £19.80

Chateau Les Gravieres de la Brandille, Bordeaux Superieur, 2020
Chateau Les Gravieres de la Brandille, Bordeaux Superieur, 2020

Frédéric Borderie's principal wine, 65% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15%...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBordeaux

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeGRC120

GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc

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