Best Red Wine 2019 | The Sun UK

Publish date: 2024-03-12

IT can be a bit intimidating walking down the wine aisles of supermarkets when you don't know where to start. Sure, you can probably tell your Merlot from your Shiraz, but what about the dates? Does more expensive really mean better? Are all wines created equally?

The good thing about so much choice, though, is that it's much more likely you'll find a diamond amongst grapes. The best red wine is waiting for you to find it.

You can spend hundreds of pounds on a bottle, but you're more likely to get a lot more out of the best value wines than the ultra-expensive ones. In fact, blind taste tests often find that every day people genuinely prefer the mid-range bottles.

Your typical supermarkets have an amazing range of bottles, from award-winning ones to wine that will work well with any dinner party situation. The wines are named after the grapes, so there's no need to be intimidated by what they're called.

Whether you want a full-bodied Cabernet or French Bordeaux, or something drier like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir, there will be a bottle that's a match for you.

If you need to be pointed in the right direction, our list of the best red wines you need to drink right now will help.

This article and featured products have been independently chosen by Sun journalists. It contains links which are ads, and if you click a link and buy a product we will earn revenue.

1. Best Australian Merlot

As a general rule, Australian wine is a lot simpler to drink than its French counterpoints. Case in point is this Merlot from McGuigan - packing flavours of raspberry, cherries and plums while going down an absolute treat.

This winery has won multiple awards, including the International Wine and Spirit Competition's Australian Producer of the Year and Winemaker of the Year in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

The wine goes best with red meat, pork and chicken.

2. Best award-winning red wine

High quality Haut-Médoc normally comes with a massive price tag - but not here. The Ramage La Batisse 2009 is a delicious, velvety wine, boasting both fruit and oak flavours. This wine has won multiple awards, including five gold.

The wine will work best with game dishes, particularly casserole, as well as rare beef.

3. Best Rioja

Second in renown only to French, Spanish red wine is some of the best on the market. Grown in the La Rioja region of the country, this wine is aged for two years in Oak casks, before being aged for a further three years in the bottle. This gives it a silky smooth texture with blackberry, cranberry and black plums as the taste.

This is the perfect companion to winter stews, chocolate desserts, or blue cheese.

4. Alternative Gran Reserva Rioja

Gran Reserva are loved so much because they take so long to age, yet are wonderfully affordable. This bottle delivers a mellow oak character, with smooth vanilla, rich black cherry, and hints of balsamic and spice.

This wine goes best with roast lamb, game and grilled meats.

5. Best non-vintage wine

This delicious Carbenet Sauvignon has a palette of cherry, blackcurrant, dark plum, alongside toasted oak. It balances the dryness of the tannins with ripe fruit and berry.

The wine is best served alongside red meats and spicy dishes.

6. Best Cabernet Sauvignon

This red wine packs a flavourful punch and yet still remains one of the most drinkable wines around. This has notes of fortified wine, boasting a full body of blackcurrants mixed with the dryness of tannin.

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Enjoyed our roundup of the best red wines? We've designed Sun Selects to help you to find the best products that won't break the bank.

Want some bubbles in your wine? Check out our list of the best prosecco around.

More of a beer person? Our guide to the best British lagers will find the right thing for you.

This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.

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