Red wine

Red wines for all tastes and budgets 

Red wine is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages around the world. There is something for every taste, and many grape varieties are used in its production, each with its own unique flavor characteristics. Here is a quick overview of the main varieties.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape variety in the world for making red wine. Originally from the Bordeaux region, it is used to produce powerful red wines with strong tannins.It thrives wonderfully on the left bank of Bordeaux within appellations such as Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Julien or Margaux where it is often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. For example, you will find its mark in the wines of the châteaux Gruaud-Larose, Calon-Ségur, Pontet-Canet or even Brane-Cantenac.

Merlot is another very popular grape variety, also originating from the Bordeaux region. This one offers a fruity red wine and rather smooth. It particularly thrives on the right bank of Bordeaux within appellations such as Pomerol or Saint-Émilion where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is also well established in other regions such as Languedoc-Roussillon or Provence. You will also find it in significant quantities in the wines of Château de Valois or Château Mille Roses.

Cabernet Franc is the third most popular variety in Bordeaux. This grape variety is also widely planted in Loire such as in the appellations Chinon, Bourgueil or Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. It generally brings a lovely freshness as well as aromas of raspberry, blackberry, eucalyptus, and bell pepper. It has elegant tannins and allows for the production of age-worthy wines. For example, it is an important marker in the cuvées of the Clos des Quarterons (Domaine Amirault) or even the Fabrice Gasnier estate.

Pinot Noir originates from Burgundy and is a more delicate grape variety. It generally produces a light red wine, low in tannins, and is very predominantly vinified as a single varietal. It is almost the only red variety used in Burgundy. From the Côte-de-Nuits to the Côte Chalonnaise via the Côte-de-Beaune, it shines in appellations such as Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard, Givry and Chambolle-Musigny. You can discover its magic in particular through the magnificent wines from the estates Decelle & Fils, François Raquillet, Cellier aux Moines, Jacques Prieur.

Syrah is a grape variety originating from the Rhône Valley and allows the production of elegant and particularly charming red wines. Moderately tannic, it probably reaches the peak of its expression in the north of the Rhône Valley in appellations such as Côte Rôtie, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph or even Crozes-Hermitage. It is also widely found in the south of this same region, such as in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC as well as in Languedoc-Roussillon, where it is regularly blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre. Discover its great nobility thanks to Stéphane Ogier, Pierre Gaillard or with the estates des Hauts-Châssis or Jolivet.

Grenache is a grape variety originally from Spain (Garnacha). This variety produces a red wine that is low in tannins and fruity. It is particularly present in the Rhône Valley within appellations such as Côtes-du-Rhône, Lirac or Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Provence (AOC Côtes-de-Provence) and Languedoc (AOC Minervois, Pic-Saint-Loup, IGP Côtes Catalanes etc.) are also important regions for this grape variety. To discover this grape, try the wines from La Chouette du Chai, Domaine Pierre Usseglio or the pleasure cuvées from Domaine des Schistes !

Gamay is king in the Beaujolais region. It is particularly appreciated for its expressive fruitiness as well as its drinkability. With a usually rather light profile, it can nevertheless produce excellent age-worthy wines on the best terroirs.Feel free to discover it in appellations such as Brouilly, Morgon, Fleurie or even Saint-Amour ! The estates Bodillard, Cheveau and Clos de la Roilette will also be safe bets for its discovery.

Malbec is very present in the South-West and particularly in AOC Cahors where it is the king grape variety. It is also well established in the Bordeaux region and even in Loire where it is called Côt. It will express beautiful fruitiness, spicy notes, and will allow the production of light and enjoyable wines if vinified gently.Nevertheless, it is mainly used to produce powerful and tannic age-worthy red wines to pair with red meat. Discover it, for example, through the Château Les Croisille !

Tannat is a very important red grape variety in the South-West, notably for appellations such as Madiran, Tursan or Irouléguy. Long considered rustic, Alain Brumont managed to have it recognized as a great variety capable of producing powerful red wines, tannic and age-worthy.

Mourvèdre is a variety that needs a lot of sunshine to reach maturity. Therefore, this grape variety is mainly found in the southern half of France, particularly in the regions of  Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence. The Bandol AOC is probably the place where it expresses itself best. Thanks to it, full-bodied rosés and indulgents as well as red wines with deep aromas of ripe black fruits and spices are produced there. It is also widely planted in Spain where it is called Monastrell.Appreciate its richness thanks to Domaine Tempier, at Château de Beaucastel or with the rosés and reds from Domaine Figuière !

Tempranillo is the most widely grown grape variety in Spain and is the flagship of the country's two leading appellations: DOCa Rioja and DO Ribera del Duero. This variety allows the production of powerful, deep wines with great aging potential. It notably expresses aromas of black fruits, spices, and also has a beautiful tannic structure. It is THE Spanish grape variety you absolutely must know! The Bodegas Muga and Protos work this variety wonderfully.

Sangiovese is a red grape variety from Italy mainly planted in Tuscany, especially in appellations such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. This grape is used to produce fruity, spicy, tannic, and age-worthy red wines. It is also found in Corsica under the name Niellucciu, particularly in the beautiful appellation of Patrimonio. Discover its magnificent character through the estates Clos Canarelli, Ruffino or Fattoi.

In addition to these grape varieties, there are many other varieties used to produce red wine, including Carignan, Cinsault or even Nebbiolo, typical of the Italian Barolo appellation and which the Parusso estate works with brilliantly.

In summary, each wine region and appellation has its own style of red wine. Thus, whether you prefer powerful wines like those from Bordeaux, the South-West, or more fruity and light cuvées as in Alsace and Burgundy, there will always be a red wine to suit your taste. So don't hesitate to call on La Cave Éclairée for advice!

How is red wine made?

Red wine is made through the maceration of grape juice with their skins. In fact, after separating the berries from their stems (destemming), the berries are crushed (crushing) leaving the juice in contact with the skins for several days (maceration). Then, once the process is complete, everything is fully pressed (pressing) and placed in vats, oak barrels, or amphorae to begin fermentation...This is the moment when grape juice truly becomes wine!

As you will have understood, since the juice of almost all grape varieties (white as well as red) is naturally colorless, it is therefore the skin of the grapes that transmits the coloring pigments (anthocyanins) to the wines. It is also in the skin (as well as in the seeds and sometimes the stem) that you will find the tannins.

Thus, certain grape varieties with thick skins such as Cabernet Sauvignon will give wines a dark color and significant tannic structure while other varieties such as Pinot Noir (with thinner skins) will produce wines with a pale color and a less pronounced tannic structure.

Choose your red wine cuvée according to food and wine pairings

The choice of a bottle of red wine is often made according to the dishes it can accompany. Each cuvée indeed has its own character and pairs more or less well with certain types of dishes.

For lovers of red meats, such as a grilled rib steak, duck breast, or leg of lamb, it is recommended, for example, to opt for a powerful and structured wine, perhaps from a prestigious appellation (AOP Gevrey-Chambertin, AOP Cahors, etc.).

Bordeaux cuvées such as those from the Pauillac or Pomerol AOCs, as well as northern Rhône AOPs like Côte Rôtie or Saint-Joseph, are also safe bets to enhance these richly flavored dishes. A mixed case or a single bottle from these magnificent vineyards can therefore be an excellent idea for treating yourself !

For white meats, such as a poultry fillet with mushrooms or a veal roast, it is preferable to choose a softer and fruitier red wine. A Burgundy Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais Gamay, for example, will bring finesse and elegance to these dishes without overpowering their delicacy.

Furthermore, for stewed dishes in sauce, such as coq au vin or Provençal daube, a spicy Syrah from the Rhône Valley or a round and deep Grenache noir from Languedoc will be ideal !

For cheeses, and contrary to popular belief, they do not always pair well with red wine. While some, such as Brie, Reblochon, or Saint-Nectaire, go well with a smooth and fruity cuvée, others, more powerful like Roquefort or Munster, will be better highlighted with a sweet white wine.

For hard cheeses, such as Comté or Parmesan, a structured red wine, from a well-aged stock, such as a Bordeaux or a Madiran, can offer a delicious and balanced pairing.

Of course, we have all these types of wine in stock !

Buy your red wine by the bottle or by the case

When you want to buy red wine, the question of format quickly arises: should you order a single bottle, a magnum, or opt for a mixed case selection ?

Buying by the bottle allows you to enjoy a variety of options by trying different cuvées from various AOPs, and thus better identify your preferences before ordering in larger quantities. It is also a good option to discover a red wine without commitment, especially when it comes to a new appellation or an unknown estate.

For enthusiasts looking to enrich their cellar or plan meals with family or friends, the case remains a more advantageous alternative.

Indeed, we offer sliding scale prices starting from six bottles on several of our products, which will allow you to save money while ensuring you always have a good vintage in stock.

For large events or for lovers of age-worthy wines, ordering a case also allows you to anticipate the wine’s evolution over the years by tasting a bottle at different stages of its aging.

Furthermore, if you also enjoy white wine, it may be interesting to mix your order by adding a few bottles of this color to your case in order to have a varied selection for all types of dishes.

Finally, thanks to an excellent selection and a very attentive delivery service, La Cave Éclairée guarantees you a very high level of satisfaction and the discovery of hidden gems !

Enjoy your tasting !