Top 10 Red Wines

At Laithwaites, we taste thousands of wines each year to decide which ones to keep, and which new ones to add to our list. We also keep a close eye on your reviews and feedback, to make sure we’re picking the right styles for our customers. If a wine is getting bad reviews, we’ll re-taste and re-evaluate it.  

We also work hard to make sure our descriptions are accurate – so that you know what you’re getting when you order. It’s not in our interest to sell you a wine you don’t like!

The red wines on this list are a selection of our most popular bottles – great value reds made from the most popular grape varieties. Plus, some less-well-known discoveries that we know our customers particularly love.

Because we’re always trying new wines, the reds on this list will change – do check back regularly to see our latest Top Ten Reds.

If you’re looking for specific wine recommendations, why not call 03300 242 783 talk to one of our Wine Guides? They know our range better than anyone and can recommend the perfect wine, suited to your taste, at any price point, or for any special occasion. 

If you just want to quickly find something in your price bracket – visit our menu and pick the category you’re looking for (red, white, rosé etc) at the top. You can then filter your search by price – job done.

And if it’s a gift for a special occasion you’re looking for – we’ve a huge selection, from single bottles to spirits and Champagne, and even luxury hampers. Visit our Gifts section for more.

There are so many different types of red wine that it’s difficult to pin down what are the top ten. But here are ten of the most popular red wine grapes and their most famous red wines.

1. Cabernet Sauvignon – sometimes known as the ‘King of red grapes’. Cabernet Sauvignon is the noble grape of Bordeaux and is the backbone of some of the world’s most famous clarets – Château Latour for example. But it is so popular that it is now grown almost everywhere that makes good red wine. Cabernet Sauvignon typically makes rich, well-structured wines with crunchy blackcurrant flavours, and often a hint of mint, or menthol. It takes well to oak ageing and can mature beautifully.

Read our Guide to Cabernet Sauvignon to learn more.  

2. Merlot – along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is one of the two top grapes of Bordeaux. Despite this prestigious heritage, Merlot is often looked down on by ‘wine snobs’ and seen as ‘inoffensive’ and ‘uncomplicated’. But don’t be fooled. Merlot is capable of making some of the world’s most sublime reds. Merlot typically makes silky smooth reds with lush plummy fruit – making for super easy drinking. 

Read our smart guide to Merlot to learn more. 

3. Syrah/Shiraz – originally famous as the great grape of the northern Rhône reds (think Hermitage and Côte Rotie), Syrah has since become much more famous as the national red grape of Australia. Over time, the Aussies have corrupted the name to Shiraz – but it is one and the same grape. Good Syrah is a medium-full red with juicy blackberry and blackcurrant fruit and typically and edge of cracked pepper (that’s the tell-tale sign if you’re blind tasting). 

Read our Guide to Syrah and Shiraz to learn more.

4. Malbec – no list of popular red wine grapes could be complete without Malbec. It was once the obscure French variety behind the little-known wines of Cahors, in southwest France. But it found its place in the sun when Argentinian winemakers discovered it ripened beautifully in their country – especially in Mendoza, in the foothills of the Andes. Argentinian Malbec quickly rose to become one of the UK’s most popular red wine styles – and it’s easy to see why. Rich, smooth, and packed with smoky black berry fruit – Argentinian Malbec combines a medium-full body and warming fruit flavours with a lean backbone that makes it a perfect partner to red meats – especially steak. 

Read our Essential Guide to Malbec to learn more.  

5. Tempranillo – this top quality Spanish red grape may not be as famous as the others on this list. But the wine that it features on – Rioja – certainly is. Spain’s most famous red and one of the UK’s favourite red wine, Rioja comes in a range of styles from young fruity and easy drinking to mature, mellow and wonderfully complex. And the beauty of Rioja is that (with a little knowledge) you always know what you’re getting. This is because Rioja’s labelling system tells you how long the wine has been oak aged for. 

Find out more in our Rioja 101 blog.

6. Pinot Noir – the great grape of Burgundy, Pinot Noir is known as the heartbreak grape. Why? Because it’s so finicky and difficult to grow, it can be heartbreaking for growers. But it can heartbreakingly beautiful too. Pinot Noir is almost never blended (except in Champagne of course!) and is most famous as the grape behind the revered wines of Burgundy. It is on the lighter side of medium bodied and adored at least as much (if not more) for its aromas as for its flavours. 

Discover more in our Grape Guide to Pinot Noir

7. Zinfandel/Primitivo – our American cousins might think it controversial to say that Zinfandel (a US speciality) is the same grape as the rich, warming, and somewhat ‘rustic’ Primitivo of southern Italy. But you can’t argue with a DNA test. Both are worthy of inclusion here. In the United States, Zinfandel makes wonderfully rich, fruity and exotically spiced reds, that marry well with oak and can mature magnificently. 

8. Sangiovese – here’s another grape that might sound less familiar. But Italy’s Sangiovese is the top red grape behind Chianti – probably the country’s most famous red. Like Rioja (and red Bordeaux come to that) Chianti comes in styles from simple day-to-day drinking to fine, barrel aged luxury reds. You’ll also find Chianti in Italy’s famous ‘super Tuscan’ wines. Typically, Sangiovese (wherever it’s from) has juicy, medium-bodied cherry fruit, with notes of almonds.

9. Grenache – you might not have heard of it, but you’ve almost certainly tasted it. It’s the stalwart grape of southern France, and the backbone of southern Rhône reds, from Côtes-du-Rhone to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. You’ll also find it in some of our bestselling ‘Black Reds’, including Cabalié and Rex Mundi. We call them Black Reds because they’re so deep and full of fruit they’re almost black in colour. Grenache wines tend to be big, rich and spicy, with raspberry and blackberry fruit. Classic winter warmers – or hearty barbecue reds, depending on the season!

10.  Montepulciano – a speciality of central and southern Italy, especially the Abruzzo region. Montepulciano is often thought of as Italy’s answer to Merlot – smooth, plummy, and a great crowd pleaser. We’re not talking fine wine territory here – but for simple pleasurable drinking – whether on the patio on a sunny afternoon, or with a light supper of pasta or sausage and mash – Montepulciano red wines are guaranteed to go down a treat.

With so many countries, regions and grapes to choose from, picking a good white wine can be tricky. Here are a few handy tips.

1. Find out what you like. If you’ve ever looked at a restaurant wine list and felt overwhelmed by the options, then you’re not alone. But a little knowledge can go a long way. The best way to learn more about wine is to try it. Explore different regions and styles with one of our Red Wine Mixed Cases, or sign up for one of our Wine Subscriptions – and look forward to a regular delivery of new discoveries.
2. Read our informative guides. We have a host of entertaining and informative guides to different wine styles and regions – written by our own in-house wine experts. Grab a glass and start your journey of wine discovery. You’ll be an expert before you know it – armed with tips on how to pick the best red wine for any occasion.
3. Read your fellow customers’ reviews. If you’re looking to pick a good red wine from our list, check the customer reviews. When hundreds or even thousands of your fellow customers have given wine a 5-star rating, you can be pretty sure it’s going to be a winner. But do check what the reviews actually say, to make sure the wine is in a style that you like! 
4. Check our current offers. Read our catalogue or check our homepage to see our latest monthly offers. We’ll often have features on white wines that are especially worth trying right now – whether it’s the latest must-taste grape or a region or producer that’s really on form right now.