Top 10 Red Wines

The ten red wines we'd reach for first, across styles and budgets. Juicy Malbec and organic Côtes du Rhône for midweek, Rioja, Bordeaux and Burgundy when you want more structure, plus a few discoveries from Chile, South Africa and Australia.

2020 Black Cottage Marlborough Pinot Noir – £16.96
NV Alto de Mayo Mendoza Malbec – £9.76
2024 Theodore Grasset Organic Cotes du Rhone – £10.96
2018 Michel Magnien Fixin – £34.96
2018 Spier Creative Block 3 – £23.05
2017 Garage Wine Co Bagual Vineyard Garnacha Lot 89 – £24.25
2021 Ramon Bilbao Rioja Limite Sur Garnacha – £19.96
2018 Chateau Petit Bocq, Saint-Estephe – £31.15
2019 Orube Rioja Seleccion de Familia – £28.66
2017 Wakefield Masterstroke Cabernet Shiraz – £25.85

Find your style of red

Style	What to expect	Try
Light and silky	Red berries, soft tannins, lovely slightly chilled	Black Cottage Marlborough Pinot Noir; Michel Magnien Fixin (red Burgundy)
Medium and juicy	Ripe fruit, a little spice, very food-friendly	Théodore Grasset Organic Côtes du Rhône; Ramón Bilbao Límite Sur Garnacha; Garage Wine Co Bagual Vineyard Garnacha
Classic and structured	Savoury, firmer tannins, made for food	Orube Rioja Selección de Familia; Château Petit Bocq Saint-Estèphe
Big and generous	Dark fruit, full body, warming	Alto de Mayo Mendoza Malbec; Wakefield Masterstroke Cabernet Shiraz; Spier Creative Block 3

What to eat with it

Pinot Noir and Burgundy suit roast chicken, duck and mushroom dishes. Rioja and Garnacha love lamb, chorizo and anything off the barbecue. Bordeaux and Cabernet Shiraz stand up to steak and hard cheeses, and Malbec is the classic pairing for grilled red meat.

FAQ

What is the best red wine? There's no single answer, because it depends on taste and food. If you like soft and fruity, start with Alto de Mayo Malbec or the organic Côtes du Rhône. For something classic, the Orube Rioja or Château Petit Bocq Saint-Estèphe.

What's a good red wine for beginners? Something smooth and fruit-led, with soft tannins: Malbec, Garnacha or Pinot Noir.

Should red wine be served at room temperature? Slightly cooler than most rooms, around 15–18°C. Lighter reds like Pinot Noir are even better at about 13–14°C. Twenty minutes in the fridge before serving helps.

Do I need to decant red wine? Not usually. Young, full-bodied reds like the Saint-Estèphe or the Masterstroke open up with an hour in a decanter or a large glass.

How long does red wine keep once opened? Three to five days with the cork back in, ideally somewhere cool.