We’re going global to find the best red wines for this autumn and winter.
We’ve put together a list of our top 6 international red wines – complete their flavour profiles and food pairings to help you finesse your seasonal menu.
International blends
Caldora Yume Tre Autoctoni
Produced in Roseto degli Abruzzi, Manduria and Sambuca di Sicilia, the Caldora Yume Tre Autoctoni (187870) is characterised by its very deep red colour with garnet highlights. The Yume is full of persistent notes of cherry, plums, ripe blackcurrant, tobacco and backed with a final toasty taste. Complete with a great structure – soft, plenty of velvety tannins, very persistent with a long finish, and spicy notes of vanilla and chocolate – it makes a great pair with osso buco.
International varietals
Cellaro Lumà Nero d’Avola Syrah
Cellaro Lumà Nero d’Avola Syrah (181378) comes from Terre Siciliane in southern Italy and is full of intensive notes of ripe red fruits. The fine flavours of this wine dominate the bouquet and unfold wonderfully on the palate. Aged for at least six months in French and American oak, look to serve this full bodied wine with red meat and game dishes.
Montepulciano
Caldora Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Coming from southern Italy, Caldora Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (180056) is full bodied, round and soft but with a balancing freshness and bright tannins. Its intense, persistent and fruit palate pairs excellently with cured meats, more robust starters, meat dishes and pecorino cheeses.
International red
Kaapzicht Pinotage
Kaapzicht Pinotage (194084) is a dry, full bodied red. Its flavours are full of forward wild fruit, prune and youngberry with toasted cedar, vanilla and gun smoke. The palate starts out racy, with a red fruited bright core and firm tannins, developing further complexity of sour cherry, cola, green olives and smoke. A distinctive expression of the variety which is delicious when matched with grilled meat of the ‘braai.’
International rosé
Music Bay Rosé
From Hawkes Bay in New Zealand is Music Bay Rosé (191650) is a wine of a rich, deep pink hue with delicious notes of raspberries, strawberries and cream. The flavours of soft red fruits are complemented by its great length and appealing texture. It’s the perfect drop to match with light salads, pasta and rice dishes, also grilled fish and oysters.
International sangiovese
Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico DOCG
Of a lively ruby red colour, the Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico DOCG (170438) has an intense and persistent bouquet with hints of wild berries. These notes combine well with the aromas released by the wood of the Slavonian and French oak barrels in which it ages. Highlighting the exceptional persistence of the bouquet, its savoury and full bodied taste makes it a great match to all meats and pastas.
