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Red Wine

Fine Red Wine

Making of red wine is relatively simple in theory however it does require great skill and care. As with all wine the basic concept is the conversion of the sugary must from the grapes into alcohol. As 99% of the actual grape juice is clear, red wine requires maceration to attain its colour.

Maceration is the process where the harvested grapes are crushed and moved to thermo-regulated vats. Here tannins, flavour compounds and colouring agents that come from the skin, seeds and stems of the grape dissolve and integrate themselves in the juice giving it flavour and colour while the juices ferment to produce wine. The depth of the colour depends on the grape variety and the length of maceration.

The world’s most prolific red grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah (also known as Shiraz) as well as Nebbiolo in Italy and Tempranillo in Spain, but there are many others. Each grape has its own flavour and characteristics and often you will encounter blends which bring together the properties of different grapes to create a wine which is much greater than the sum of its parts.

Historically, the best red wines in the world come from the regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhône Valley in France, Piedmont and Tuscany in Italy and Rioja in Spain. Today, this holds true for the traditionalist, but the New World reds certainly have their following of connoisseurs.

Red wines tend to fall in to 5 categories: ‘Light and fruity’, ‘medium-bodied and fruity’, ‘full-bodied and fruity’, ‘complex and tannic’ and ‘complex and elegant’.

Light and fruity reds are generally considered as easy-drinking wines. They have a tendency to be crisp with light tannins and notes of soft fruits and flowers. Beaujolais, low end Burgundies, Zinfandels and Valpolicellas of Italy fall into this category amongst others. Generally they go well with simple foods in particular charcuterie, quiche and pizza. Serve at 12-14°C.

Medium-bodied and fruity red wines have stronger tannins and a heavier feel on the tongue with aromas of red fruits and hints of spice. They tend to not have been aged in oak. These wines include Bergerac, low-end Bordeaux, Côte du Rhône, Chianti from Italy and Penedès from Spain. They would drink well alongside meat dishes in a sauce, smaller game, pâté and roasted meat. Serve at 15-17°C.

Full-bodied and fruity reds tend to have high alcohol content and plenty of tannins, usually due to maturing in oak barrels, which will soften with age to produce exceptional wine. These wines are complex and bear strong aromas of ripe, dark fruits and spice. Key examples here are wines from Saint-Emilion and Pomerol as well as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cahors, Rioja, and Shiraz wines from Australia. Wines as complex and deep as these go well with rich and fatty dishes for example grilled/roasted red meat, duck confit, foie gras and game. Serve at 15-17°C.

Complex and tannic reds tend to be found at high prices. Their heavy tannins will age and produce firm wines with great finesse. Red and black fruits and spicy undertones are prominent with vanilla and toasty notes as new oak is likely to have been used. Full flavours and beautiful finishes are common in this bracket. Here you will find all the famous sub-regions of Bordeaux as well as Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Barolo from Italy and a few new world Cabernet Sauvignons. These powerful reds go well with rich but not too fatty dishes like game and roast lamb; they also go well with truffles. Serve at 15-17°C.

Complex and elegant red wines. This select and elite group is reserved for the best of Burgundy. All from the Pinot Noir variety, these exceptional wines are very rare and highly priced, sometimes phenomenally expensive. Their complexity shows no end but aromas tend to be red berries and flowers with hints of game and undergrowth. They are velvety on the palate with a memorable finish. Wines from Chambolle-Musigny, Morey-St-Denis, Gevrey-Chambertin, Beaune and of course Vosne-Romanée are amongst the great Burgundies in this category. Dishes should be chosen well with these special wines and will be different for each. Usually slow-cooked food and roasts make good matches. Serve at 16-17°C.

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  1. Angelo Veglio, Barolo, 2008

    Angelo Veglio, Barolo, 2008

    Italy, Piedmont | Red Wine | Bottle (0.75)
    Aged for 2 years in old wooden barrels, this Barolo bears the essential flavours of the area. It is rich... Read More
    £17.99
  2. Baron Rothschild Mouton Cadet, Bordeaux, 2009

    Baron Rothschild Mouton Cadet, Bordeaux, 2009

    France, Bordeaux | Red Wine | Bottle (0.75)
    Intense ruby red colour with purple highlights. This wine has a rich, open nose with attractive aromas... Read More
    £11.99
    £68.99
  3. Château Batailley, Pauillac, 1966

    Château Batailley, Pauillac, 1966

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac | Red Wine | Bottle (0.75)
    A wonderful and classic fifth growth Pauillac which has well and truly matured and is offering many deep... Read More
    £49.99
    £284.99
    Price Comparison: £146.40 - Fine & Rare Wines (Checked 25/03/13)
  4. Château Bernadotte, Haut-Médoc, 2005

    Château Bernadotte, Haut-Médoc, 2005

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc | Red Wine | Bottle (0.75)
    A classic Bordeaux from a great Bordeaux vintage. Good grippy tannins, nice mid-palate depth with the usual... Read More

    Regular Price: £19.99

    Special Price: £18.49

    Regular Price: £215.99

    Special Price: £210.99

  5. Château Bonnet, Bordeaux Reserve, 2008

    Château Bonnet, Bordeaux Reserve, 2008

    France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Contrôlée | Red Wine | Bottle (0.75)
    A well-made red Bordeaux with a smooth feel and a nose bursting with fruit. Dark berries, cherries and smoky... Read More
    £10.99
  6. Château Brane Cantenac, Margaux, 1976

    Château Brane Cantenac, Margaux, 1976

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux | Red Wine | Bottle (0.75)
    This red from the famous Brane Cantenac has become slightly unknit with time but offers up fruits, life... Read More
    £59.99
    £341.99
  7. Château Cantenac Brown, Margaux, 1986

    Château Cantenac Brown, Margaux, 1986

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux | Red Wine | Bottle (0.75)
    Aromas of cedar wood, blackberries, black currants, pencil shavings, spice and oak come from this medium-bodied... Read More
    £51.99
    £296.99
    Price Comparison: £57.60 - Fine & Rare Wines (Checked 25/03/13)
  8. Château Cissac, Haut-Médoc, 2009

    Château Cissac, Haut-Médoc, 2009

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc | Red Wine | Bottle (0.75)
    From an exceptional Bordeaux vintage, this great value Cissac does not disappoint. It does well to present... Read More
    £18.99
  9. Château Croizet-Bages, Pauillac, 2000

    Château Croizet-Bages, Pauillac, 2000

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac | Red Wine | Bottle (0.75)
    A medium-bodied but rich fifth growth Bordeaux from the famous Pauillac subregion. A faultless fine wine... Read More
    £28.99
  10. Château De Lisse, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 1986

    Château De Lisse, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 1986

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru | Red Wine | Bottle (0.75)
    An elegant wine with an open nose of red and black fruits with a touch of toasted oak. It is a typical... Read More
    £32.99

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