Reds

Excellent Bordeaux Blend from Bulgaria. Big and bold in flavour with richness and spice in equal measure but a lovely fine-grained tannic structure with good acidy, keeping it moreish and balanced.

Country: Bulgaria

Region: Bessa Valley

Grapes: 52% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot  plus 8% Cab Sauv

ABV: 14.5%

Food Match: Roast lamb with all the trimmings

Dark almost black in colour, with an intense dark berry fruit aroma of blackberries. Powerful, concentrated and full bodied. Structured, but smooth and velvety on the palate, combining well the matured fruit and the oak from 3 months ageing in wood. Moreish, elegant and complex, a long finish.

Country: Portugal

Region: Lisbon

Grapes: Alicante Bouschet

ABV: 14.5%

Food: as an aperitif, with tapas, red meat, risotto, paella, spicy food and dry cheeses.

Wowzer! Very special wine this..

Beautiful red shades with purple accents, dark and lustrous. Expressive nose displaying blueberry, red plum, red and sour cherry. In the mouth, the delightful notes of cacao, plums, truffle, coconut and caramel, with a hint of toasted brioche make it very elegant. The palate is fleshy, with good entrance, balanced acidity, firm tannins and a lasting finish.

Country: Argentina

Region: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 

Vegan/Vegetarian

Grapes:  100% Malbec

ABV: 15% 

After visiting Argentina in 1989, Californian trail-blazer Paul Hobbs became deeply interested in both the terroir and Argentine culture, noticing the unique potential for Malbec and other varietals in the region. After meeting two kindred spirits, Andrea Marchiori and Luis Barraud, they founded Viña Cobos in 1997 and since then there has been no looking back.

Rich, ripe, dense and complex. Notes of tobacco, dark chocolate and blackberries. Abundant flavours of dark berries are released alongside earthy and creamy notes that warm the mouth. Stunning wine.

Country: Spain

Region: Aragon

Grapes: Garnacha

ABV: 14%

Food Match: Perfect with herb crusted roast leg of lamb and rosemary potatoes.

Smooth with a core of red fruit flavours and sweet spices supported by supple tannins giving structure to wine. The finish is long and smooth with the red cherry and raspberry notes lingering on the palate.

Country: Macedonia

Region: North Macedonia

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 12.5%

Food match: Roast chicken with all of the trimmings

Macedonia has a rich winemaking history, with the oldest archeological findings dating back to 13 century b.c. Today, Macedonia has around 24,000 ha of vineyards, the two main varieties grown are Vranec (red) and Smederevka (white).

Ruby coloured with soft crimson nuances. Intense nose with ripe blackcurrants, plums and cherries. The palate is smooth and harmonious with soft long finish.

Country: Bulgaria

Region: Thracian Valley

Grapes: 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Rubin

ABV: 13%

Food Match: Red meat dishes, charcuterie and hard cheeses.

From the Yamantiev's Winery

Superb. NATURAL organic, vegetarian red from Lisbon.

A field blend of old vines mainly Trincadeira red and Fernao Pires White. Tea leaves and violets with crushed white pepper. Spicey capsicum, red berries and

Country: Portugal

Region: Lisboa

Grapes: Trincadeira and Fernao Pires

ABV: 14%

In addition to the black and red fruits also found on the nose there is a complex flavour of sweet spice and minerality followed by a fresh finish.

Country: France

Region: Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac

Grapes: Carignan, Mourvèdre,  Grenache Noir, Syrah

ABV: 13.5%

Food match: Great with grilled meats and tomato based pasta dishes

Domaine Les Caizergues 

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%

Vegan. Naturally fermented in stainless steel tanks, 50% of this blend then undergoes malolactic fermentation in 300 and 600 litre French oak barrels (10% of which are new)

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/

Deep ruby red in colour with a violet hue. 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%

Vegan

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.

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

Raspberry, strawberry and bitter cherry aromas and flavours with a dry, 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%

The Italian region of Emilia-Romagna is famous for many household names. Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati are all manufactured here. Parma ham, Parmesan cheese and Balsamic vinegar of Modena originated here too. Did you know that it was the birthplace of Luciano Pavarotti, Guiseppe Verdi and Zucchero?!

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

Vegan, unoaked

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.

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.

Dark cherry coloured wine. The nose shows fruity aromas, blackberries, cherries and a touch of spice. In the mouth it is fresh, fruity and with a balanced
sweetness.

Country: Spain

Grapes: Monastrell

ABV: 0.%

Food Match: Salads with a light dressing, appetizers, tapas, semi hard cheeses, pastas, mushrooms and charcuterie, roasted white and red meats.

Fermentation takes place over 6-8 days, without exceeding a temperature between 26/28°C. The wine macerates in contact with its skins for a period of 5-10 days. Subsequently, the wine undergoes an innovative dealcoholisation process that allows the
wine's organoleptic properties to be preserved.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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%

Classic Merlot nose of ripe dark plum and leafy notes, following through on the palate with rich, fleshy fruit, earthy notes and dark spice. Malolactic fermentation takes place naturally in stainless steel tanks and 20% of the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 6 months; after this the wine blended in order to obtain a more complex character.

Country: Chile

Region: Wine of Chile

Grapes: Merlot

ABV:14%

Food matching ideas: Cheese and charcuterie or pasta ragu

Vegan, organic

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.