Good Red Wine Recommendations

Best For Beginners: Risata Moscato D’asti

Courtesy of Total Wine

Region: Piedmont, Italy | ABV: 5.5% | Tasting Notes: Stone fruit, Mandarin, Honey

Looking to dive into the world of sweet wine but not sure where to begin? Moscato is a great place to start. These frothy, easy-drinking wines from Piedmont are known for their freshness, fizziness, and all-around enjoyable sweetness. This easy-to-find bottle from Risata jumps with vibrant flavors of juicy stone fruit, mandarin orange, and honey. While sweet and flavor-packed, the wine never feels cloying or overly heavy. Sip chilled with spicy takeout or sweet brunch favorites .

Malbec: An Affordable Red Wine Thats A Touch More Robust

Are you considering stepping a little south of balanced for a robust and slightly smoky red wine? Malbec is what happens when you take an easy drinking wine and give it a kick.

This French red wine is more commonly grown in Argentina thanks to the countrys consistently hot climate. If you want a malbec that leans toward fruitier flavors, stick with an Argentinian origin. If you prefer a more herbal aroma and earthier flavors, try a French origin.

Dominant Flavor Notes, Aroma, and Mouthfeel: Savory Fruit, Smoke, and Full-Bodied

Malbec hovers between casual and just a little intense, boasting notes of savory dark fruit like dark plum, black cherry, and tangy pomegranate. This wine is famous for having a long, smoky finish and a molasses-like subtlety.

Ideal Food Pairings: Meaty and Roasted Dishes

The interplay between dark fruit and a smoky finish makes malbec a particular wine to pair. Nonetheless, we have a few common food suggestions.

• Roasted mushrooms, peppers, or vegetables
• Braised shortribs

Price Range: Slightly More Pricey, But Flexible

Expect to find your average bottle of malbec ranging between $10 to $20. These bottles are fantastic if you want to spend a little extra time on your Saturday night dinner and game night.

Best Washington: Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

courtesy of woodwardcanyon.com

Region: Washington | ABV: 14.5% | Tasting Notes: Black cherry, Menthol, Baking spicesWashington State is further north than Oregonbut, paradoxically, it’s best known for producing grapes that thrive in warmer climates. That’s because the majority of Oregon’s vineyards are located west of the Cascade mountains, exposing them to maritime weather and creating ideal growing conditions for cool-climate grapes like pinot. Washington’s vineyards, meanwhile, lie mostly east of the Cascades, so the maritime influences are blockedresulting in long, warm growing seasons that are perfect for hearty reds like cabernet sauvignon.

Only the second winery to be established in Washington’s prolific Walla Walla Valley, family-run Woodward Canyon has been churning out delicious reds since 1981, and their Artist Series cabernet is a blend of grapes sourced from some of the most highly regarded vineyards in the entire state, including the lengendary Sagemoor Vineyard. “The result is a silky, medium- to full-bodied wine bursting with notes of ripe black cherry, blueberry, cassis, warm baking spices, cedar, black pepper, menthol, and cocoa,” says Claire Coppi, a Certified Sommelier and a cast member on SOMM TV. “Wait about five years before opening, as the wine benefits highly from a little time to integrate in the bottle.”

Price at time of publish:$44.94

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Frescobaldi Gorgona Rosso 2018

The story behind this stunning red blend by Frescobaldi, an iconic name in Italian wines, is just as compelling as the contents of the bottle. The small island of Gorgona is a penal colony off the coast of Livorno, and the incarcerated residents’ winemaking production is a unique social reform project designed to set its participants up for success in the outside world by teaching valuable skill sets, paying living wages equal to Frescobaldi employees, and boosting overall morale, among other benefits. Not only is this operation doing the world some good Gorgona’s recidivism rate is staggeringly low but the wine itself is delicious. The amphora-aged red wine, Gorgona Rosso, is a blend of sangiovese and vermentino nero grapes and features an ample bouquet of Mediterranean flora and rich spice, and a complex, velveteen palate that leads into a long, volcanic finish.

Which Red Is Best For You

Lets face it, most of us out there arent wine experts, and if you are, youve probably graduated from the $20-a-bottle class of reds. But, if youre like most, you want something nice to sip on with a good steak or cigar. In that case, any of the above wines will do the trick. We might suggest trying a Pinot Noir first if youre a wine beginner. They tend to be the least offensive in terms of dryness and are considered a more drinkable wine.

Editors’ Recommendations

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Best Value: Barons De Rothschild Legende Bordeaux Rouge

Region: Bordeaux, France | ABV: 12.5% | Tasting Notes: Berry compote, Earth, Sweet oak spice

Perhaps the greatest new Bordeaux release in decades, Légende wines come from the exceptional Bordeaux house of Domaines Barons de Rothschild . Truly value-driven, these wines represent the expression of Bordeauxs notable appellations, from Médoc to Saint-Émilion to Pauillac.

This Bordeaux Rouge is packed with red berry fruit, warm wild berry compote, vanilla, earth and sweet oak spices. Best of all, this wine retails for just under $20.

Good to Know:

Sylvester Inda, wine manager at CoolVines Powerhouse in New Jersey, recommends seeking out producers that you already know and love when seeking out a new and delicious red wine to try. If a bottle is made from a winemaker that I recognize, and I know their work in past vintages or different grape varieties, then thats a great place to start for picking quality red wine, he says.

Price at time of publish:$19.99

Bogle Old Vine California Zinfandel

The Bogle family has been farming in California’s Clarksburg region since the mid-1800s but only ventured into grape growing in 1968. The late Warren Bogle and his son Chris founded their eponymous winery about 10 years later. The family business is currently headed by Chris and Patty Bogle’s three children: Warren, Ryan, and Jody. Bogle farms more than 1,200 acres of wine grapes in the Sacramento Deltasome of which go into Bogle’s jammy, luscious Old Vine Zinfandel, one of the best Zinfandel deals on the market.

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Comparing And Contrasting Vintages Now Versus Five Years Ago

So, as mentioned above, this review is an update from the review I did five years ago.

I wont repeat the entire review I did for the 2011 vintage, but here are the main differences between the two:

• Both vintages similar in appearance.
• The current vintage has less of an alcohol bite in the nose. In my review of the 2011, I noted a strong whiff of alcohol that I didnt notice with the 2016.
• The aromas between the two vintages are mostly similar, but I didnt notice any mocha this time, as I did previously.
• Less complexity with the 2016 vintages taste. Perhaps a bit more refined, however.
• Similar finish length, with more tannins noted in the 2016.
• The biggest difference was that I suggested decanting the 2011. For the 2016, I much preferred a fresh pour.
• Both vintages seemed a bit young to me and it may be worth letting this wine have a year or two in the cellar before drinking. Though, admittedly, Im not 100% confident in that suggestion. Just a gut feeling.
• Overall, I enjoyed both vintages, but would give the 2011 a slight edge due it being more complex and lush.

Finally, Ive also reviewed a couple other wines from Meiomi. To see those, click below:

Amon Ra Shiraz Barossa Valley

Shiraz from the Barossa Valley is some of the most full-bodied, flavorful red wine you can find. This Australian Shiraz is bold on the palate with notes of licorice, black raspberries, creme de cassis and subtle hints of wood, leather, and cigars. Its got a long finish with medium tannins and acidity and is easily the most well-balanced wine on our list. Pair it with beef, game meat or poultry for the best flavor.

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Best Red Wine Styles To Think About Chilling:

• Beaujolais, and Gamay wines from other areas if you can find them, such as Oregon or South Africa.
• Valpolicella Classico or wines made with Corvina grapes
• Wines made using carbonic maceration

There are many more, of course, and winemaking style is also important when considering the best red wine temperature. You dont want too much oak, for instance.

The list below highlights the perfect red wines to chill in the summer, across a range of price points and from a variety of regions around the world.

Some are from areas often associated with heavier, fuller-bodied reds, so may come as a bit of a surprise. Take for example the juicy, light-bodied Arbalète and Coquelicots, from Domaine Jean Baptiste Senat in the Minervois, which impresses with the vibrancy of its fruit, its spicy herbal tang and its inherent drinkability.

Domaine Mosses Bangarang is so light, fresh and lip-smackingly juicy that it will quench a mammoth thirst in just a few sips.

South Africas The Misfits Cinsault, made by Ken Forrester, is a firm favourite among the Decanter team as it is easy drinking and offers bright, vibrant fruit. Available for just £9 at Tesco.

Do you know somebody who wants to start learning about how to pair, taste and serve your favourite wines? Pairing & serving wine: a guide for the real beginner is a new online learning course from Decanter designed to introduce the basic principles and start beginners on their journey through the fascinating world of wine. Find out more

Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Bons Batons 2018

Domaine Franey

With nearly a century of winemaking under its belt, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod is regarded as a legend in the Chambolle-Musigny area of Burgundy’s Côte-d’Or. Ghislaine Barthod, protégé of the house’s founder and previous winemaker Gaston Barthod , has a knack for drawing out the purest expression of her pinot noir grapes and the soils on which they were grown. Les Bons Batons is a special wine, sourced from and named for a standout parcel on the house’s estate, the 2017 and 2018 vintages being particular favorites within the sommelier community. It’s medium in body and is incredibly earthy on both the nose and palate, offering striking minerality and structured tannins with notes of bright cherry, raspberry, and silky spice leading into a beautifully balanced, lingering finish. Drink it now if you’d like, or cellar this bottle for up to 10 years from its vintage.

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Heavy Red Wines For Beginners

Petit Sirah from California. This grape has been grown in northern California for a few hundred years and is one of the biggest wines in the marketplace. The booziness of this bottling is so deep that it often tastes like strawberry jam. So, of course, youll hear the term jammy to refer to wines like this.

Shiraz from Barossa Valley . The grape Shiraz also goes by the name Syrah. This is a wine that is very different depending on where it comes from. In France, this wine tends to have the whiff of road-kill. The opposite is true for Shiraz grown in Barossa Valley in Australia. The Aussie style is filled with notes of blackberry jam and chocolate: a delightful choice for novices.

Grenache from Spain. This is one of the oldest grapes globally, and there is a reason why: big and boozy wines have been popular for millennia. Grenache is a particularly huge wine, even when its affordably priced.

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Syrah/Shiraz: This varietal has two names, depending on where youre from. In Europe, its known as Syrah whereas, in Australia, its referred to as Shiraz. Its very full-bodied and has tasting notes like blackberry and plum. Since its got such a bold flavor its best accompanied by meat, creamy cheeses, and in my opinion, Indian food. Swain also suggests that this type of wine makes a great pairing for your summer BBQ.

Malbec: Usually made in Argentina, this full-bodied red is packed with fruity flavors and pairs well with barbecue, red meat and even blue cheese. You can find French Malbec as well although the taste is usually tarter and more acidic.

Zinfandel: This light to medium-bodied red is full of flavor notes like jam and berries, especially strawberries. Its got low tannins too and generally has a smoky finish. You can also pair it with a wide variety of food including pizzas, pasta, meat, and even your favorite sandwiches like grilled cheese .

Sangiovese: Extremely popular in Italy and now also grown in California, this dry red varietal is medium-bodied with a high tannin content. Its flavor is a combination of cherries, and figs with a hint of tobacco. Because of its peculiar flavor, it pairs well with Italian foods like pizzas and pasta. Its also the most common red varietal used in Chianti blends.

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How Should I Serve Red Wine

This is a matter of contention. A common misconception is that red wine is best served at room temperature. In fact, a few degrees cooler can be better for some styles. Try serving lighter-bodied wines slightly chilled to around 15°C. For a fuller-bodied red, go a little warmer around 18°C is ideal.

Best Red Wine To Drink While Cooking

Gran Passione means “great passion” in Italian, and this wine is sure to ignite your passion for cooking. This Italian red wine is fruity and smooth, with notes of red berries. It is also low in tannins, the compounds in wine that can cause your mouth to feel dry and astringent, so it won’t dry out your mouth.

Rosso wines are made all over Italy, but this particular red wine comes from the Veneto region. The Veneto region is located in Northeast Italy and is known for its red wines. This Gran Passione red wine is made from a blend of corvina and merlot grapes. People love this wine because of its balanced and fruity taste. It is also very versatile and can be paired with a variety of dishes. Whether you’re cooking red meat, pasta dishes, or pizza, the Rosso Veneto will be your perfect companion. You can also incorporate this wine into your recipes if they call for it, or if you’re looking to experiment.

You can pick up Gran Passione Rosso from Total Wine for $11.

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Casa Lapostolle Rapel Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Most people may be familiar with the name Marnier , less so with Lapostolle. But that’s been changing in recent years thanks to the high-quality wines of Casa Lapostolle, the Chilean winery co-founded by Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle, great-granddaughter of Grand Marnier’s founder. Consulting top enologist Michel Rolland oversees the winery’s production, including a crisp and lively Sauvignon Blanc that’s consistently one of the best in Chile.

Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

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Gaja Barbaresco Is The Winner

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Best Argentinian:Achaval-Ferrer Quimera at Drizly

Loaded with blackberry fruits and marvelous spices, this wine is intensely concentrated with layers of black cherry compote, salted dark chocolate and cedar spices weaving in and out of vanilla and clove.

Ah, red wine: friend to hearty dishes, enemy to white shirts. At its essence, red wine may be the simplest and most straightforward alcoholic beverage in the world: you simply harvest some red grapes, crush them , let them sit with their skins for a while to add color , and wait for some ambient yeasts to start converting the sugar into alcohol. Unlike beer, there’s no heating involved unlike liquor, you don’t need a still. You just need some grapes, a container, and mother nature.

The finest red wines of today follow this general pattern, with the addition of a couple millennia worth of innovation. Oak barrel aging, filtration, cultivated yeasts, and modern vineyard practices are all comparatively recent additions to the red wine experience. Traditions and mandates governing the production of red wine vary geographically: different regions of the world all have different rules dictating which grape varieties are permitted, how long the wines must age, what the final alcohol content be, and how the wine must be labeled.

How To Serve Red Wine

Red wine is best served in larger wine glasses, but dont be tempted to fill them to the brim . According to Drew, a quarter full is ideal, as the space encourages the wine to bloom and release as many of its delicate aromas as possible.

As for serving temperature, red wines are ideally served just below room temperature . Suntrap kitchen? Dont be afraid of popping your red wine in the fridge for 10 minutes prior to serving. Contrary to popular belief, serving red wine too warm risks the aroma being overwhelmed by alcohol.

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