Collection: Buy red wines

Red wines for all tastes and budgets

Red wine is one of the most appreciated alcoholic beverages worldwide. There are options for all tastes, and numerous grape varieties allow its production, each having its own taste characteristics. Here is a quick description of these main varieties.

The Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted grape variety in the world for making red wine. Originally from the Bordeaux region, it allows the production of powerful red wines and tannic wines. 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. You will find its imprint, for example, in the wines of the châteaux Gruaud-Larose, Calon-Ségur, Pontet-Canet or even Brane-Cantenac.

The 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 like 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 find it significantly in wines from 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 the Loire as in the appellations Chinon, Bourgueil or Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. It generally brings a nice 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 blends of Clos des Quarterons (Domaine Amirault) or the domain Fabrice Gasnier.

Pinot Noir originates from Burgundy and is a more delicate grape variety. It generally delivers a light red wine, low in tannins, and is 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 highlights appellations such as Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard, Givry, and Chambolle-Musigny. You can notably discover its magic through the magnificent wines from the estates of Decelle & Fils, François Raquillet, Cellier aux Moines, Jacques Prieur, and Philippe Naddef.

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 pinnacle 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, 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, François Merlin or with the estates des Hauts-Châssis or de Boisseyt.

Grenache is a grape variety originating from Spain (Garnacha). It allows for the production of a red wine that is low in tannins and fruity. It is particularly present in the Rhône Valley within appellations such as the 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 get acquainted with this grape variety, try the wines from La Chouette du Chai, domaine Pierre Usseglio or the delightful cuvées from domaine des Schistes !

Gamay is king in the Beaujolaisregion. It is particularly appreciated for its expressive fruitiness and its smoothness. 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 like Brouilly, Morgon, Fleurie or even Saint-Amour ! The estates Bodillard, Cheveau and Clos de la Roilette will also be reliable choices for its discovery.

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

The Tannat is a very important red grape variety in the Southwest, notably for appellations like Madiran, Tursan, or Irouléguy. Long perceived as rustic, Alain Brumont has managed to have it recognized as a great variety capable of producing powerful red wines, tannic and for aging.

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

Tempranillo is the most cultivated 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 for the production of powerful, deep wines with great aging potential. It notably expresses aromas of dark fruits, spices, and also has a beautiful tannic structure. It is THE Spanish grape variety to absolutely know! Bodegas Muga and Protos work this variety wonderfully.

The Sangiovese is a red grape variety Italian mainly planted in Tuscany, particularly in appellations such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. This variety allows the production of fruity, spicy, tannic, and age-worthy red wines. It is also present in Corsica under the name Niellucciu, notably within the beautiful appellation Patrimonio. Discover its magnificent character through the estates Giudicelli, Ruffino or even Fattoi.

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

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 Southwest, or more fruity and light cuvées like in Alsace and Burgundy, there will always be a red wine to your taste. Do not 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. Indeed, 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, the whole 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!

You will have understood, therefore, that the juice of almost all grape varieties (both white and red) being naturally colorless, it is consequently the grape skins that will transmit the coloring pigments (anthocyanins) to the wines. It is also in the skins (as well as in the seeds and sometimes the stems) that we will find the tannins.

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

Choose your red wine according to food and wine pairings

The choice of a bottle of red wine is often made based on the dishes it can accompany. Each vintage 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 advisable to opt for a powerful and structured wine, perhaps from a prestigious appellation (AOP Gevrey-Chambertin, AOP Cahors, etc.).

Bordeaux vintages such as those from AOC Pauillac or Pomerol, as well as the AOP from the northern Rhône like Côte Rôtie or Saint-Joseph, are also reliable choices to enhance these flavor-rich dishes. A mixed case or a single bottle from these magnificent vineyards can therefore be an excellent idea for indulging oneself !

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

Furthermore, for stewed dishes in sauce, such as coq au vin or a 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 systematically pair with red wine. While some, like Brie, Reblochon, or Saint-Nectaire, pair 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, like a Bordeaux or a Madiran, can offer a savory and balanced pairing.

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

Buy your red wine by the single 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 ? 

Buying a single bottle allows you to vary your pleasures by trying different vintages from various AOPs, and thus better understand your preferences before ordering in larger quantities. It's 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 box remains a more advantageous alternative.

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

For large events or lovers of age-worthy wines, ordering a box 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 might be interesting to mix your order by adding a few bottles of this color to your box 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 little gems ! 

 Enjoy your tasting !