Fruity & Light Reds

Pinot Noir is one of Romania’s greatest hidden secrets. Probably the only place in the world that can do this grape variety justice at such brilliant value.

Delicate aromas of blackberry and touches of violets. A juicy, light-bodied palate with black cherry flavour and fresh finish. Enjoy slightly chilled with rich, creamy fish dishes.

Country: Romania

Region: Recas and Minis

ABV: 12.5%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

As you walk through the rolling vineyards of the 700 hectare Cramele Recas estate, two things are inescapable. The first is the scale of the transformation that Englishman Philip Cox and his wife Elvira have managed to achieve, replanting 700 hectares of decrepit vineyards and replacing them with immaculately tended sites the equal of anywhere else in the world. The second is that if you didn't know where you were, you'd be convinced you were in Tuscany or any other "Classic" wine producing region. And, to a certain extent you are, Romania has a history of winemaking stretching back millennia and it was this potential that has driven this dynamic duo to dedicate their lives to driving forward Romanian winemaking to it's current state of rude health. A 20 million euro investment in the vineyards and brand new winery.

A full and fruit-rich red from the South of France. The intense, dark berry fruit carries a touch of sweet spice and is balanced with structured tannins. An all round fantastic wine for the price!

Country: France

Region: Midi, Southern France

Grapes: Grenache Noir

ABV: 13.5%

Lucious, medium bodied, super-easy drinking red with red berry fruit flavours and touch of sweet spice.

Country: France

Region: Vaucluse

Grapes: Grenache, Cinsault

ABV: 13%

Super great value for money red from the guys at Waterkloof.

Hints of dark fruits, chocolate and eucalyptus leading to a heady mix of fruit, rich chocolate and plums supported by soft tannins.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

Grapes: 100% Pinotage

ABV: 13.5%

False Bay Wine

Food match: Braaied meat!

Really bold and smokey Pinot oozing loads of ripe cherries and mulberry characters.

Country: USA

Region: California

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13.5%

Fleurie is the most perfumed of the Beaujolais Cru wines, which this example shows so clearly with its floral aromas and flavours.

A heady perfume of freshly picked irises and peonies drift above the crushed, berry fruit nose. The fleshy, luscious, cherry flavours and hints of rose are typically vivacious, backed up with a good touch of spice and good depth.

Country: France

Region: Beaujolais

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Gamay

'Arenite' is the terroir of pinky, crumbly sandstone of the La Madone vineyards, rated as one of the best vineyards in Fleurie. The South­ East facing vineyards are steep in places, below the Chapel of the Madonna at the top of the hill.

Only 5km from the coast, this cool climate vineyard produces fantastic Pinot Noir.

This wine is bright, aromatic and fresh with subtle oak playing a supporting role. The emphasis on the delicious red fruit flavours, drinkability and enjoyment. A seriously cool Pinot.

Country: Chile

Region: Aconcagua Valley

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Pretty and poised Pinot.

Classic cranberry and red current aromas giving us a wine with enough bite and texture to be foody but with enough generosity of fruit to be a delicious glass on its own. A touch of oak in the wine making lends a little soothing creaminess to the finish.

Country: New Zealand

Region: Marlborough

ABV: 13% 

Grape: Pinot Noir 100%

Very few places are capable of making high quality Pinot Noir. This one is exceptional.

Bitter dark cherry and ripe mulberry on the nose. Juicy red fruit and red plum skin flavours on the palate, super soft tannins. Light and easy drinking, perfect summer red for sipping on the verandah. 

Country: Austria

Region: Ried Windleutehn, Niederosterreich

ABV: 12%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Food Match: Will match well with just about anything because of soft tannins and fruitiness, even slightly spicy dishes.

Mittelbach Gottfried

This wine represents phenomenally good value for money! Soft, red berry fruit and silky tannins, very moreish.

Country: France

Region: Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 12.5%

Jaffelin Wine

Black cherry, violet and subtle herb characters on the nose with complex liquorice and earth flavours on the palate. Firm, but ripe tannins, great structure.

Country: New Zealand

Region: Hawke's Bay

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13%

Organic

Rod McDonald is a New Zealand winemaking legend who arrived in Hawke's Bay 25 years ago as a green cellarhand. Following a stint at Villa Maria he became winemaker at Vidal before setting off on a solo adventure to craft the most compelling and exciting wines from the wide variety of soils throughout the region.
Rod has chosen to farm organically to allow his wines to really represent both the land the grapes are grown on and the people who make them.

Cherry, strawberry and rhubarb notes define the aromatics of this wine and are backed by hints of cinnamon and oregano. Bright flavours of cherry, raspberry and ripe tomato are balanced by a layer of earthy mushroom. Smooth and silky!

Country: USA

Region: California

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Vegan/Vegetarian

From the Sacramento and Lodi areas at the northern end of California’s San Joaquin Valley.

This delicious wine has aromas and flavours of jammy red fruits, juicy red cherries, pomegranate juice, summer herbs, and a touch of violet. On the palate it is rich and refreshing.

Country: Italy

Region: Sicily

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Nerello Mascalese

Abundant red cherry, plum and vibrant berry fruits combine in this joyful, bright and incredibly juicy red; medium-bodied with beautifully ripe and light tannins and touch of spice on the finish.

Country: Austria

Region: Kremstal

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Zweigelt

 Food Match: roast duck or pork

Really bold and aromatic Pinot oozing loads of ripe cherries and mulberry characters.

Country: USA

Region: California

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 14.5%

Primary fruit, with appealing cherry and damson flavours. It’s an easy drinking style with soft tannins and light body.

Country: Italy

Region: Emilia Romagna

Grapes: Sangiovese

ABV: 11%

Rustic in a pretty way; your classic rosy-cheeked farmer's daughter. Violets on the nose. Great structure, pure elegance.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

ABV: 12.5%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Burgundy is renowned for a jigsaw of small plots, fitting side by across the rolling cotes and cru with many different owners - the result of equal inheritance. While some heirs want to make wine, others prefer to live their lives elsewhere, meaning their plots go unloved. Enter Patrice du Jeu, a Parisian restaurateur with the dynamism and energy to revive such plots. Together with family and friends, he managed to buy several parcels in excellent terroirs of the Côte de Beaune including Santenay, Chassagne Montrachet and Mercurey. Joining with white Burgundy expert Jean-Baptise Alinc the wines of these heirs - Les Héritiers - are both technically competent and beautifully crafted.

Full and Ripe with loads of cassis and blueberry aromas and flavours.

Country: USA

Region: California

Grapes: Zinfandel

Vegan/Vegetarian

From the Sacramento and Lodi areas at the northern end of California’s San Joaquin Valley.

Sangiovese grapes from Tuscany, this wine is colourful yet elegant - just like the art on the label. Notes of ripe cherry, raspberries and earthiness, all accompanied by delicious juicy acidity making the wine super easy drinking.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Grapes: Sangiovese

ABV: 13% 

Delicious light to medium bodied juicy red. Loads of red and black berry fruit character with a touch of sweet spice and vanilla.

Country: France

Region: Hérault

Grapes: Carignan

ABV: 12.5%

Food Match: Great on its own as an everyday quaffer or match with steak, lamp chops or hard cheese.

A vibrant nose of plum, cherry, violet, sweet spice and dried herbs. The palate has lots of fresh fruit flavours, including sour cherry and plum with refreshing acidity. The youthful fruit combines with spice and bitter chocolate notes giving a wine of depth and personality with a firm, dry and savoury finish - great served with food, perhaps lightly chilled.

Country: Italy

Region: Langhe, Piemonte

Grapes: Dolcetto

ABV: 12%

Food Match: Italian meat based pasta dishes, carpaccio of beef and lightly grilled meats.

The Dolcetto grapes are sourced from Colla's Cascine Drago estate - where the average age of vines is 20 years, planted at around 350m altitude. The grapes are immediately destalked and crushed, and then macerated on the skins for 5-7 days. Malolactic fermentation is completed before winter sets in. The wine stabilises in stainless steel, and then rests for a few months in bottle.

Generous, ripe and medium bodied red cherry and raspberry fruit with a hint of liquorice. Cool climate red from the beautiful terraced slopes of Wachau, Austria.

Country: Austria

Region: Wachau

Grapes: Blauer Zwielgt

ABV: 13%

Light, delicate and floral with notes of crushed wild strawberries. Delicious! 

Forest aromas and concentrated fruit aromas of blueberries and cherrys mark this red wine. Its elegant ruby colour is the feature of the filigree nature that one then finds on the palate. Lively fruit, ripe tannins and a long sophisticated finish are the strong characteristics of this delightful variety and the wine it produces.

Country: Germany

Region: Pfalz

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 12.5%

Fresh red fruits, with a floral note immediately jumps out from the nose. Dark ripe raspberries, spices, lavender, hints of oak and cassis emerge after the initial blast of fruit. Beautifully balanced with nice acidity and ripe tannins.

Country: USA

Region: Oregon

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13.5%

Aromas of dark cherry and blackberry plus a rich, round palate of red berry fruit are complemented by toasty, vanilla notes that bring a touch of spice to the finish.

Country: France

Region: P Haute Vallée de L’Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

 Food Match:Beautiful drinking on its own or with game, robust fish or slow cooked stews.