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- SpainGarnachaLegendary BIG red from sun-filled Cariñena, with velvet richness and fruit-forward flavour£10.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£12.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- SpainTempranillo-based blendPerfectly mature, complex Gran Reserva from a great estate and an officially excellent vintage£19.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£25.00 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceSyrah-based blendFrom this highly sought-after, mountainous area of the Languedoc, a rich, silky, black fruit wine£13.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£15.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceRed blendSuper cuvée of all the best snippets of gorgeous velvety wine in one bottle. A cheeky masterpiece£13.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£15.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- Dark, spicy, mouthfilling Portuguese Black Reds – the ‘in’ red of the moment£131.88 £169.381 case (12 bottles) - £10.99 per bottleSave £37.50£239.76£338.762 cases (24 bottles) - £9.99 per bottleSave £99.00Qty cases:
- PortugalTouriga NacionalPortugal’s bramble-packed red from star winemaker Jaime Quendera. Full-flavour yet lighter alcohol£9.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£10.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ItalyNero d'AvolaThe earthquake red, a rich, barrel-aged Sicilian wine from Dino Taschetta to honour his grandfather£12.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£14.99 per bottleQty bottles:
- AustraliaShirazFrom one of Australia's most prestigious, award-winning estates, a 100-point, Trophy-winning Shiraz£17.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£19.99 per bottleQty bottles:
- FranceMerlot-based blendFrom the owners of Château Haut-Brion, this is a 91-point, top-vintage Bordeaux with 5-Star pedigree£16.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£19.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ItalyRed blendEmbrace the silky splendour of this southern Italian red, full of velvety fruit and sweet spice£13.49 per bottle when you mix 6+£14.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceMerlot-based blendOne of our perennial claret favourites, Blaye’s Les Grands Maréchaux 2016 is on top, 93-point form£15.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£17.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- Meet the richest, darkest reds in our cellars ... all with a big saving£131.88 £159.881 case (12 bottles) - £10.99 per bottleSave £28.00£239.76£319.762 cases (24 bottles) - £9.99 per bottleSave £80.00Qty cases:
- ChileCarménère-based blendPeppery, silky black fruit red – a blend of high-grown Carmenère and Syrah from Chile's Elqui Valley£11.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£13.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- SpainGarnacha-based blendA favourite red has returned, and it’s better than ever. A silky, old-vine Garnacha from Aragón£11.49 per bottle when you mix 6+£12.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceSyrahFabulous, deep, dark Syrah from a northern Rhône star appellation, declassified. Best snap it up£14.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£16.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ItalySyrahJuicy, peppery, blackberry-rich Syrah with lovely intensity, grown high in the hills of Sicily£11.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£13.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceMerlotOur bestselling Bordeaux from Ludovic Roussillon at his small family estate – rich, velvety fruit£13.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£15.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ItalyRed blendJuicy, charming and seductive – Italy’s original ‘poppy wine’, now, hurrah, in a sensible wine box£26.00 per bottleQty boxes:
- FranceGrenache-based blendLuscious southern Rhône with Châteauneuf-like generosity and complexity. Berry-rich with spice£13.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£15.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- AustraliaCabernet SauvignonIntense cassis and mint-scented red – classic, rich Cabernet flavours with appealing Aussie ripeness£7.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£8.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceMerlot-based blendRare 17-year-old Bordeaux from the superior Premières Côtes. Mellow fruit richness and lengthExpected back in stock 01 June 2024Add to Basket if you're happy to wait£13.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£15.99 per bottleQty bottles:
- ItalyCorvina-based blendDark cherry and mocha red, topped up with a dash of Amarone from Italy’s 2019 ‘Winery of the Year’£12.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£14.49 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceGrenacheRich black fruit and intense spice in Le XV’s dense Grenache, a customer favourite for over 30 years£12.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£14.99 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.