Reds

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%

Bright, textural red from old, unirrigated bush vines in the Coastal region grown on sandy soils over granite bedrock.

Inviting aromas of summer pudding, ripe black cherry, vanilla and even a touch of Framboise. On the palate, more rich black fruits, smoky notes and a suggestion of dark chocolate and star anise. Youthful acidity and ripe balanced tannins give a fresh finish with depth and complexity.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

Grapes: Shiraz

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Braai (South African BBQ) is the most obvious choice but this is a really versatile wine that works well with most meats, mushrooms dishes or just on its own.

https://www.wildeberg.co.za/

Concentrated cassis and plum with a hint of liquorice. Some evolved secondary and tertiary characteristics of forest floor leaves and tobacco.  A classic, elegant Bordeaux red drinking very well now.

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux, Haut Medoc

Grapes: 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 13.5%

Food match: fillet steak and frites or boeuf bourguignon

Vibrant notes of ripe black fruits, combine with earthy hints, nut, spice and fine herbal notes that are characteristic of Valle del Maule . Elegant and complex on the palate with supple tannins and a savoury finish.

Country: Chile

Region: Valle del Maule

Grapes: Carmenère

ABV:13.5%

A consistent winner of both national and international wine awards, our Pinot Noir is nourished by the unique ‘terroir’ of the Graaff family farm in the Witzenberg Mountain range in Ceres, better known until recently for high quality apples and pears.

Country: South Africa

Region:  Witzenberg Mountain range in Ceres

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Food Match: Mushroom risotto will complement the earthy notes of the wine beautifully. Pinot Noir is light and elegant enough to be enjoyed with poached salmon or even a leek and pecorino tart. Also try it with chicken liver fettuccine.

At an altitude of 960 meters above sea level, with winter snowfalls often covering the vineyards, a truly continental climate facilitates gradual ripening for a concentrated, luscious, elegant, ‘terroir’ driven wine which, as the vines mature, produces increasingly perfumed wines with each successive vintage. Carefully handpicked in Ceres in the early hours of the morning, the grapes are vinified by Cellar Master Charles Hopkins in the safety of the cellar at De Grendel.

De Grendel Wine

Bursting with red and blackcurrant fruits, this is a really soft and pure Cabernet with gentle tannins and a hint of green pepper on the finish. Cool herby flavours mingle with red fruits and a nice touch of acidity.

Try with herby roast leg of lamb, char-grilled steak, or stuffed baked red peppers.

Country: Chile

Region: Central Valley

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

Succulent black cherry aroma, bright but delicate and hints of forest floor, with underlying floral and spicy notes. On the palate, the wine is powerful, with silk-textured length.

Country: South Africa

Region: Elgin

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Food match:

Beef bourguignon with mushroom or braised lamb shanks.

In early 1997, Andrew Gunn, an engineer by training was contemplating his next career move. Having always loved the outdoors, the prospect of farming appealed to him and feeling young and energetic enough to start a new career, left the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg to begin the search for the ‘perfect’ farm.

After months of searching and 40 farm visits later, Andrew and a very tired estate agent stumbled upon a solitary run down apple farm on a mountain top overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The prospect of a suitable farm in Elgin intrigued Andrew and on driving through the valley, he became excited by the beauty of the area. Surrounded by the Kogelberg Biosphere and Forestry the property had no agricultural neighbours. The rolling hills and the drive up the mountain to where the farm was situated, 420 meters above sea level, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was love at first sight.

As he drove in and stopped in front of a rather run down Herbert Baker homestead, he felt, “this is where I would like to live”, and the view from the front of the house overlooking the Elgin Valley below, made up his mind.

The sweet wine of Valpolicella - red nectar in a bottle.

Deliciously decadent dessert wine with rich winter red berry flavours, notes of chocolate, spiced prunes and Christmas cake. Delicious.

Country: Italy

Region: Valpolicella

ABV:12.5%

Grapes: Corvina 60%, Corvinone 15%, Rondinella 15%, others 10%.

Food Match: Chocolate based desserts or cakes or just simply with a good chunk of good quality dark chocolate.

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.

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 or even a main course of roast chicken and potatoes!

Country: Italy

Region: Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna

Grapes: Barbera and Bonarda

ABV: 12.5%

We love this wine! You can't miss this bottle on the shelf with its distinct tactile, voluptuous shape.  This wine is produced only in the best vintages. A deep pomegranate red; delicate floral and black cherry fruit aromas. Warm, plum and tamarind. Full bodied but soft with silky tannins and a long smooth finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Grapes: Nebbiolo

ABV: 13.5%

Travaglini Tre Vigne is the result of extensive research of the best characteristics of soil, and the blend of three historical vineyards. The Nebbiolo grapes from these vineyards are harvested during the first half of October. The grapes are gently crushed and are macerated for around 15 days in stainless steel. Maturation takes place over a 40 month period; 30 months of which 80% in Slovenian Oak and 20% aged separately for 10 months in French Barrique. The rest of the aging is in bottle before release.

Light, fruity, juicy and ripe red. Full of flavour and vibrant, crunchy red fruit character. Good stuff!

Country: South Africa

Region: Paarl

Grapes: Cinsault

ABV: 13%

Food pairing: pan fried duck breast with a berry sauce or cheese and cured meats with quince jelly.

Dark, concentrated black fruit. Cocoa and chocolate notes on the nose, supple tannins, long black berry finish.

Country: Georgia

Region: Kakheti

Grapes: Saperavi

ABV: 13.5%

Vegan

Food pairing: lamb, veal, deer, venison, mushrooms, mature and hard cheese

From 35 year old vineyards in Kakehti, this wine is fermented on it's skins for  2 to 3 weeks in Qvevri. Rustavelli was Georgia’s darling poet- famous for poem 'The man in the Panther Skin'.

Read all about Penny's recent trip to the cradle of wine, Georgia in her blog here.

Dark, ruby red colour. Aromas of sweet spice, ripe plum jam and leather on the nose. On the palate: complex and full bodied with velvety tannins on the finish. 

Grapes: Odesa Black

Country: Ukraine

Region: Odesa

Food pairing: Soft cheese and cured meats or grilled pork with potatoes.

Serving temperature: 16-18°C

ABV: 13%

Villa Tinta has been a family estate winery since 1998 when the winery foundation was laid and 500 hectares of family-owned vines were planted. The winery is situated in the Bolgrad district where winemaking was the source of life centuries ago.

The Loron Family have been producing great wines from Beaujolais since 1711 and have a peerless reputation! 

Country: France

Region: Beaujolais

Grapes: Gamay

ABV: 13%

No added sulphites

6 bottles of organic wine pleasure in a glass - should be a staple in every household!

This is a big and powerful red wine, very dark red in colour. The nose has plenty of dark fruit aromas, plums, black cherries, chocolate, dried fruit and slight herbaceous notes. The palate is full, dense and rich with intense and sweet, ripe fruit. There are more plum and spice flavours on the palate. The finish is has a touch of residual sugar, giving some natural sweetness, and is full, rich and lingering. 

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

ABV: 13.5%

Grape: 90% Zinfandel, 10% Merlot

Bright purple edge with an intensely dark core. Cherry tobacco and Christmas spice of cloves and cinnamon abound. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine delivers flavours of sour cherry, cocoa, Cedar wood and fresh plums.

Country: South Africa

Region:  Tygerberg 

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Pinotage

Food Match:

Traditional South African fare such as braaivleis (BBQ), wildspotjie (game stew), Cape Malay bobotie (an oven-baked dish of spiced mince and dried apricots topped with an egg-custard), biltong (beef jerky) and samp with beans will be a true delight to enjoy with Pinotage. Non-conformists can try Pinotage with sushi, especially sashimi with pickled ginger and soy sauce to complement the spicy and umami flavours of the wine.

Pinotage in general has an excellent maturation potential of approximately 10 years and the Amandelboord will benefit with bottle aging, ensuring the flavours fully develop and tannins soften and integrate over time.

A great example of this uniquely Chilean red grape. Aromatic and floral nose of ripe red berries, juicy strawberries and cherries with subtle notes of earthiness. Medium bodied on the palate, with strawberries, cranberries, and red currants with a hint of sweet spice and minerality. 

Country: Chile

Region: Maule Valley

Grapes: Pais

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Versatile and easy drinking - perfect with tapas and savoury snacks

Made from 100% Agiorgitiko, a native variety to the Peloponnese. The colour is a bright, deep crimson, and the nose full of aromas of blackberries and ripe strawberries with just a touch of anise and black pepper. The smooth texture is accompanied by ripe, soft tannin and fresh acidity to give structure and elegance. Over a year spent in oak leaves you with notes of sweet vanilla and spices such as clove and cinnamon to accompany the long-lasting and powerful red fruits.

Country: Greece

Region: Peloponnese

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Agiorgitiko

Food match: Pairs well with a range of grilled meats such as chicken souvlaki or fine cuts of lamb.

The Lantides Estate is situated in the Ancient site of Nemea, in the heart of the
Peloponnese, north of Argos and just west of Corinth on the coast of the Aegean. Panikos and his son Simon run 25 hectares of vineyards which are situated around the mountainous valley of Skoteini in altitude between 500 - 650 meters above sea level. This family business was started in 1993 by Panikos Landidis, who had previously studied in Montpellier and Bordeaux in oenology. Today this knowledge is used to make quality wines using local varieties that are native to Greece.

The Peloponnese Peninsula is a large landform on the southern edge of
continental Greece. Covered in mountains, rugged plateaus and valleys, the
area has an abundance of mesoclimates and terroirs suitable for premium
viticulture. Native grape varieties such as Agiorgitiko, Moschofilero and
Mavrodaphne are planted throughout the peninsula. The modern Peloponnese
wine industry began to grow following the end of World War II, and today the
region is one of the most viticulturally productive in Greece.

A very classy Nebbiolo from Alba with an affordable price tag.

Delicious lifted aromatics of liquorice, redcurrant and ripe red fruit on the nose, mingling with sour cherry, blossom and notes of leather on the palate. A richly flavoured and multi-layered wine combining vibrant acidity, perfectly poised tannins and rich spicy fruit. 

Country: Italy

Region: Piemonte

ABV: 14% 

Grape: Nebbiolo

Food Match: Serve with grilled steak and red meat, or alternatively robust pasta dishes with wild boar or rabbit ragu

St Laurent is a beautiful little-known grape variety. Very similar to low yield Pinot Noir but more tannic and full bodied. Delicious.

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 veranda. Will match well with just about anything because of soft tannins and fruitiness, even slightly spicey dishes.

Country: Austria

Region: Thermenregion, Lower Austria

ABV 13.5%

Grape Variety: St Laurent

Food Match: This wine works well with game bird or roast duck. Enjoy with venison sausages or tagliatelle with chicken liver and porcine.

ORGANIC

Now in its fourth generation of winemakers, the 40 hectare estate is run by Johann Reinisch's three sons: Hannes, Michael and Christian. With a 2,000 year legacy of wine growing in the region, the Reinischs maintain traditions with vineyards planted with 65 % red and 35 % white vines. The winery is best known for their excellent Pinot Noir and St. Laurent grown in vineyards from both the stony, alluvial gravel soils of Tattendorf (rich in both chalk and lime) near the winery and the elevated, nutrient rich soils of Gumpoldskirchen.

This has a medium deep red colour with flecks of violet and ripe cherry flavours and blueberries on the nose. Smooth well integrated oaky, toasty aromas. Medium bodied, fruit driven, fine ripe sweetness with good acidity which is perfectly balanced with the round ripe tannins culminating in a long ripe fruit driven finish.

Food Match: Lamb, entrecote, game, pizza, pasta, stews, casseroles

Temperature controlled fermentation (26-29º). All varieties were vinified separately in stainless steel tanks. Maceration for 8-16 days. Ageing for 9 months in old oak then 6 months in tank before bottling.

Country: Spain

Region: Montsant, Catalunya

Grapes: Garnacha 40% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Cariñena 30%

ABV: 14.5%

Nestled in the rugged hills of the Catalan countryside, in the tiny village bearing its name, is the well-respected Celler de Capçanes. It was this wild Montsant landscape which first captivated Jürgen Wagner back in the early 90s, but the huge potential he recognised in this unique village co-operative that determined what followed. Pouring all his efforts into working with the growers to nurture the best from their vineyards and the most honest expressions of their terroir, Celler de Capçanes has established itself as one of the most engaging wineries in the area.

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Grapes: Tempranillo 95% Mazuelo 5%

ABV: 13.5%

On the border between Rioja and Navarra, Victor Manzanos carries on the work of the four generations before him.

With over 250ha of owned vineyards at his disposal, including some of the oldest vines in Rioja, Bodegas Manzanos is fortunately placed to put both the sub-region of Rioja Oriental and the name Manzanos firmly on the map as one of the most important areas and producers in Rioja. This range of wines is a modern take on the traditional landscape of Rioja, championing the native grape varieties, Tempranillo, Viura and Garnacha. The team is the youngest in the region, a talented a group of people with the sole purpose of making wines that people will enjoy.

A long maceration of 28 days at a controlled temperature and 24 months ageing in American and French oak casks, half and half, followed by a further twelve months rounding off in the bottle. This has all gone to produce a wine with great body and extract.

Classic Merlot nose of ripe dark plum and leafy notes, following through on the palate with rich, fleshy fruit, earthy notes and dark spice.

Country: Chile

Region: Wine of Chile

Grapes: Merlot

ABV:14%

Food matching ideas: Cheese and charcuterie or pasta ragu