Very occasionally here in England we are blessed with warm weather. If you don't fancy rosé or white wine, but want to keep cool whilst drinking red, here are a few of our suggestions for red wines in our range that you can chill. Read our blog all about alfresco summer food and wine pairing with recommendations from our St Albans team.
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.
Pasquiers Grenache Noir
Regular price
£10.45
/
Tax included.
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%
Adega de Penalva Dão Tinto
Regular price
£10.95
/
Tax included.
A super easy drinking red from native Portuguese grapes. Crunchy red fruit, juicy, supple tannins.
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%
Long Barn Pinot Noir 2021
Regular price
£15.95
/
Tax included.
Really bold and smokey Pinot oozing loads of ripe cherries and mulberry characters.
Country: USA
Region: California
Grapes: Pinot Noir
ABV: 13.5%
Fleurie La Reine de l'Arenite 2022
Regular price
£16.25
/
Tax included.
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.
Piteira Red Granja Amareleja 2019
Regular price
£12.95
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Tax included.
Deep ruby colour. On the nose shows spice notes typical of Moreto, like clove, nutmeg, liquorice, and also some ripe cherry and strawberry notes. On the palate it is dry, fruity, spicy and easy to drink. Offers a surprising complexity of flavours and a long finish for the price!
Country: Portugal
Region: Alentejo
Grapes: Moreto, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet
ABV: 14%
Granja Amareleja vineyards are located in the left bank of Guadiana River, where the soils are sandy and the temperatures the highest in Alentejo reaching >40C. Moreto grape variety is the ex-libris of the viticulture here, where it continues to be cultivated, mostly, ungrafted (“Pé-Franco”). Perhaps for this reason its wines are so aromatic, balanced and distinct.
Mittelbach Pinot Noir 2022
Regular price
£16.95
/
Tax included.
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.
This natural wine is chocca block packed full of bramble fruit notes with raspberry and blackberry dominating the aroma, smooth and juicy with complex notes of blueberry and moderate acidity and smooth tannins on the finish.
Country: Romania
Region: Panciu
Grapes: Merlot, Pinot Noir
ABV: 13.5%
La Bacca Nerello Mascalese 2020
Regular price
£9.95
/
Tax included.
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
Funkstille Zweigelt 2022
Regular price
£13.90
/
Tax included.
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
Caiaffa Negroamaro IGT Organic 2022
Regular price
£15.95
/
Tax included.
Wonderful, ripe and warming wine, full of sunshine and brightness. Subtle hints of sweet spice, coffee grounds and milk chocolate on the finish. Yummy.
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Grapes: Negroamaro
ABV: 13.5%
Food match: great with antipasto cured meats.
Caiaffa are certified organic, they do not use insecticides or pesticides in order to encourage a balanced ecosystem.
Really bold and aromatic Pinot oozing loads of ripe cherries and mulberry characters.
Country: USA
Region: California
Grapes: Pinot Noir
ABV: 14.5%
Folli & Benato Barbera d'Asti 2021/22
Regular price
£14.95
/
Tax included.
Floral tinged, red berry aromas give way to bright plums and ripe strawberries on the palate, with a fresh and vibrant finish.
Easy drinking Barbera d’asti. Great value for money. We love this wine!
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmont, Asti
ABV: 13.5%
Food Match: Barbera is such a brilliantly versatile grape variety that matches with anything from fleshy, herby fish dishes to tomato based pizza and pasta or roast Chicken or even rich lamb and vegetable stews.
Cantina Andrian Lagrein Rubeno 2023
Regular price
£19.95
/
Tax included.
Bright, ruby red with flecks of violet, the Lagrein grape has delicious berry aromas on the nose with hints of violets and dried rose petals. The palate is silky, medium bodied with soft tannins and a long finish.
Grapes: Lagrein
Region: Gries, Alto Adige
Country: Italy
ABV: 13.5%
Food Match: Game bird, duck, veal and lamb dishes. Mature hard cheese also works well.
Borga Cabernet Franc
Regular price
£10.95
/
Tax included.
An intense ruby red wine. Very fresh and full bodied, lovely finish. Perfect with game or aged cheeses.
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%
Vi LOF Mencia 2018
Regular price
£16.95
/
Tax included.
Lively, expressive and juicy red from the lesser known region of Bierzo in North West Spain. Menzia, a native grape, gives lovely dark ripe fruit characters of plum and bramble berries.
Country: Spain
Region: DO Bierzo
Grapes: Menzia
ABV: 13.5%
La Mécanique Old Vine Carignan 2021
Regular price
£11.95
/
Tax included.
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.
With the colour of arterial blood, the nose reveals wild berries, rhubarb and custard. The palate is dense, concentrated and brooding opening to a rich mid-palate with cherry-stone fruit and bitter plum and a long finish with a gentle brick-like texture.
Country: Australia
Region: Adelaide Hills
Grape: Barbera
ABV: 14.5%
Food Match: Gamey meats or delicious on its own.
Reichsrat Von Buhl Spatburgunder 2021
Regular price
£21.95
/
Tax included.
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%
Gutturnio DOC Frizzante 2023 (Sparkling Red)
Regular price
£18.95
/
Tax included.
Great alternative dessert wine. Raspberry, strawberry and bitter cherry aromas and flavours with sour cherry finish. Great with pavlova or strawberries and cream. Don't limit this beverage to just dessert though - it will go well as an aperitif or with soft cheese after dinner.
Country: Italy
Region: Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna
Grapes: Barbera and Bonarda
ABV: 12.5%
Uva Non Grata Gamay 2021
Regular price
£12.25
/
Tax included.
Bouncy, crunchy Gamay, this is an irresistible fruit bomb packed with fresh, primary fruit aromas and the delicious soft red berry flavours of gorgeous Gamay at its best.
Country: France
Region: South of France
Grapes: Gamay
ABV: 12.5%
Food Match: if you need to pair a red with an egg dish - look no further! The very soft tannins and ripe fruit character works well with the distinct flavour of eggs.
Cave de Turckheim Pinot Noir Organic 2022
Regular price
£18.95
/
Tax included.
Perfect summery Pinot Noir. Really ripe raspberry fruit on the nose. Rich, ripe characterful cranberry and raspberry on the palate with juicy acidity to finish.
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Grapes: Pinot Noir
ABV: 12.5%
Food Match: Great with roast salmon or pork sausages.
