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- FranceGrenache-based blendOur most reordered red, a big southern French Grenache with velvety berry fruit and rich herby spic£8.99 per bottle when you add 36+£9.99 per bottle when you add 24+£10.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£12.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- AustraliaDurif-based blendOur No.1 bestseller – a red charged with big, spicy Durif and Shiraz, packed with velvet fruit£10.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£12.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceMalbecBlackberry, plum and a hint of liquorice - an irresistible Malbec from legendary winemaker Hervé£8.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£13.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- PortugalAlicante BouschetOnce a crazy idea, now a 5-star favourite. a rich, velvety Portuguese red from a top winemaker£11.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£12.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ItalyPrimitivoThe spicy, velvety fruit of southern Italy's prized Primitivo in this much-loved customer favourite£10.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£12.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- AustraliaDurif-based blendWeighty Aussie red, charged with fruit in this spice-packed Durif Shiraz. Lipsmackingly tasty£9.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£12.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceShiraz-based blendBlack as sin, seductive and velvety, Rex Mundi will tempt you with its gorgeous, ripe fruit£10.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£12.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- PortugalTouriga NacionalPortugal’s pride and joy grape, barrel-aged to smooth perfection in this luscious big red£11.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£14.49 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- Gorgeously rich Aussie reds from favourite family cellars£95.88 £153.881 case (12 bottles) - £7.99 per bottleSave £58.00Qty cases:
- AustraliaMalbecGold-medal Malbec, bursting with dark fruit and spice, from one of our favourite Aussie winemakers£8.49 per bottle when you mix 6+£13.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- Our top-selling reds in one star-studded mixed case£119.88 £155.881 case (12 bottles) - £9.99 per bottleSave £36.00Qty cases:
- ItalyMontepulcianoMature, barrel-aged Italian red – a rare Montepulciano Riserva from the beautiful AbruzzoExpected back in stock 01 June 2024Add to Basket if you're happy to wait£11.49 per bottle when you mix 6+£13.99 per bottleQty bottles:
- ItalyRed blendJuicy, charming and easy going – Italy's original 'poppy red' is on delicious form£9.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£10.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ItalyNero di TroiaThe dark horse of Puglian wine, full of southern warmth and packed with velvety, spiced black fruit£12.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£14.49 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ArgentinaShiraz-based blendBlending spicy Shiraz, vibrant Cabernet and dark, velvety Malbec, this is a much-loved Argentine red£11.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£13.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- SpainMerlotBursting with appealing cherry and red summer fruits, a delicious, new-release Merlot from Spain£9.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£11.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- PortugalShiraz-based blendMeet Rocksand, our rich, punchy Shiraz from Portugal, full of big, spicy black fruit£12.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£14.49 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- SpainTempranilloMeet our No.1 bestselling Rioja of all time, brimming with fruit and layered with toasty vanilla oak£11.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£13.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- Enjoy the mighty Malbecs of Argentina – at a great price!£107.88 £155.881 case (12 bottles) - £8.99 per bottleSave £48.00Qty cases:
- PortugalCastelão-based blendRich, velvety red, brimful of luscious black fruit – a Portuguese triumph, always impressive value£11.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£13.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceGrenache-based blendGold-medal ‘Big Bro’ to bestseller Cabalié, more punch and power from concentrated old-vine fruit£14.49 per bottle when you mix 6+£15.99 per bottleQty bottles:
- PortugalCastelãoVelvety Portuguese Black Red from Gold-medal maestro Jaime Quendera – nab it while it’s here£13.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£16.49 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ItalyRed blendLuxury Super Tuscan style red, traditionally crafted with dried grapes for extra intensity£17.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£22.00 per bottleQty bottles:OR
Like white wine, all types of red wine are made by crushing harvested wine grapes. Then, winemakers add yeast and sugar to start the fermentation process—this is when the grape juice becomes alcoholic.
What gives red wine its vibrant colour depends on many factors, including the climate in which the grapes were grown, the natural colour of the grape skins, whether the wine has been aged in barrel or bottle and how long the grape skins were left to soak in the grape juice.
The grape skins are left to soak during fermentation, lasting anywhere from a few days to a few months. The longer the grape skins soak, the darker the wine.
Red wines come in an array of styles, flavours, and textures, each offering a unique flavour. Some of the most popular red wines are:
Cabernet Franc – with its medium body, this wine is full of ripe, lively red fruit flavours.
Cabernet Sauvignon – a full-bodied red, known for its high tannins and robust black fruit flavours.
Malbec – full-bodied and firm, Malbec offers tart, dark fruit flavours.
Merlot – this medium-bodied, fruity red wine is known for its soft texture and smooth finish.
Grenache – a plush, medium-bodied wine that’s brimming with bright red fruit and citrus aromas.
Pinot Noir – a light-bodied wine celebrated for its bright acidity, silky red fruit and earthy undertones.
Syrah / Shiraz – jammy, rich and bold, this wine has complex layers of earthy notes and dark fruit flavours.
Zinfandel – this medium-bodied, easy-drinking wine is full of juicy fruit flavours.
Red wine is described as 'dry' when almost no residual sugar is left after fermentation. All wines are left to ferment – this is how they get their alcohol. But the longer the grapes are left to ferment, the more of the grape’s natural sugars are converted into alcohol.
As a result, dry red wines lack the sweetness that you might find in other types of wine. They also contain a higher alcohol percentage – between 13.5–15% ABV – which creates a denser flavour and more pronounced texture. Some popular dry red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Tempranillo.
Red wine is described as 'sweet' when high levels of residual sugar remain after the grape juice ferments. This is a deliberate strategy because the sugar gives it its characteristic sweet flavour. The shorter fermentation period also means that there is less time for the sugar to convert into alcohol. As such, sweet red wines tend to have lower levels of alcohol – usually less than 10% ABV.
Most red wines should be served slightly below room temperature. This helps to preserve the balance and complexity of flavours, and it highlights the wine’s unique characteristics. Lighter and more delicate red wines, such as Pinot Noir and Beaujolais, typically benefit from a slightly cooler temperature (around 12–15°C), to preserve their subtle flavours and aromas.
By contrast, fortified wines like Port and Madeira are often enjoyed at warmer temperatures, around 18–20°C, to enhance their richness and complexity.
You might also consider decanting your wine before serving. This process aerates the wine, releasing its aromas and softening its tannins. Decanting is especially helpful for robust and tannic wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux, which can benefit from two or three hours to breathe. Medium-bodied wines, such as Merlot and Chianti, require a shorter decanting time – one or two hours will do – while lighter and older wines might only need 30 minutes or so.
For glassware, opt for red wine glasses with larger bowls and wider rims, which allow more oxygen in and concentrate the wine’s flavours. Fortified wines, like Port and Sherry, have their own glasses, which are much smaller.
Red wines are best stored in a cool, dry space with a consistent temperature. If it has a cork, keep it on its side. Also avoid placing the bottle anywhere where it will receive direct sunlight because it can turn the wine sour.
Once a bottle is opened, red wine keeps its flavour for about three to five days. This applies to both corked and screw-top wines, so there’s no need for this to influence your purchasing decisions. To maintain the quality of the wine, ensure the bottle is sealed tightly and stored in a cool place.