It’s cosy jumper season and there’s no better way to embrace it than with a glass of red wine in hand. Check out 10 of our most sumptuous reds to snuggle up with this autumn and winter.
30th October 2023 | Top Drops | 3 minute read
Our Best Red Wines for Autumn & Winter
By Lucy Hazleton
Top Red Wines for Autumn & Winter
Depasso Riserva Nero d'Avola Leggermente Appassito
Italian reds always hit the spot over the colder months, and we’re starting strong with this magnificent Appassimento-method wine. Made from juicy native Italian grapes that have been left to partially dry in the Sicilian sunshine, this customer-favourite red offers strawberry sweetness, warming spice and immense flavour concentration. It’s so full and fruity it makes a great alternative to port and pairs ridiculously well with cheese.
Domaine la Bouissieres Beaumes de Venise
This characterful Grenache and Syrah blend from the southern Rhône is a deliciously indulgent red with a deep, rich flavour profile. The Grenache keeps the wine bursting with fresh berry flavours, whilst the Syrah adds darker fruit notes and ripe tannins, creating a well-rounded wine. A glass of this on a cold winter’s evening is really going to hit the spot.
Lenne Pinot Noir
If you’re a fan of slightly lighter-bodied reds then this German Pinot Noir is bound to be up your street. Delicate strawberry flavours take the lead with this wine, followed by subtle hints of spice and earthy tannins. From a region that’s producing world-class Pinot Noir at very affordable prices, this wine really is great value.
Capcanes La Nit de les Garnatxes Clay
Grown in rich, clay and limestone soils in the Montsant region of Spain, this Garnacha is full of vibrant red fruit flavours. With ripe plum and black cherry aromas followed by a mouthcoating cherry ripeness on the palate, it’s a fabulous Spanish red to enjoy with a creamy risotto or seafood dish.
Schola Sarmenti Nerio Reserve Nardo DOC
Back to Italy now and this wine produced from the local variety, Malvasia Nera di Lecce, is intensely rich and full-bodied. After spending eight months in French oak and then a further eight months ageing in the bottle before being released, this vino has developed alluring, complex notes of forest floor, leather and intense spice.
Ungrafted Itata Old Vine Cinsault
If you’re looking for a food-friendly red then this may be the one for you. Super juicy and very drinkable, this red from the vineyards of the Itata region in Chile has delightful ripe red fruit flavours, mingled with hints of violet, and a fresh burst of acidity to finish. Much lighter in body than you would perhaps expect from a Chilean red, it’s a top drop for anyone who enjoys the lighter mouthfeel of a Pinot Noir.
The Black Pig McLaren Vale Shiraz
We couldn’t talk about our favourite red wines without mentioning the original Black Pig Shiraz. This has been one of our best-selling, most highly rated wines that we’ve ever had. You get everything out of it that you could possibly want from a great Aussie Shiraz, including loads of intense brooding fruit flavours and a lovely, luscious body.
Domaine Michel Girard Sancerre Rouge
Sancerre is very well known for its incredible white wines, less so for its reds, making our next autumn/winter red pretty special. The rare and intriguing Domaine Michel Girard Sancerre Rouge is a pure Pinot Noir with so much style and elegance. We love it because it’s a great food wine, pairing well with everything from white meat to different types of cheese.
Finca Los Principes Rioja Reserva
This is a great quality Rioja at a deliciously affordable price. Made with 100% Tempranillo grapes, the wine is then aged in both American and French barriques so you get lovely oaky notes of vanilla on top of the beautifully smooth red fruit.
Black Flag Winemakers Barossa Valley Shiraz Cabernet
A deep, brooding red from the Black Flag range is an absolute must this season. Lose yourself in mouth-watering notes of plum, cassis and liquorice in this indulgent Barossa Valley Shiraz blend. Whether you’re pairing it with slow cooked beef or curling up on the sofa with a glass, it’s pure bliss.