Thursday 14 November 2013

What Makes Fabulous Red Wine?

Here at the Ideal Wine Company we are a fan of all types of wine, from white to red to rose and this week we wanted to shine our spotlight specifically on red. What makes a good red wine? What are the qualities that you should be looking for when picking that perfect bottle? Like with all wines, there’s nothing that you could call absolute definitive; at the end of the day it’s all down to personal preference; not everybody is going to enjoy the same things and cherish the same qualities. However, like with anything else there are some overarching principles that can certainly act to help you on your way in picking the bottle that’s right for you.

Of course, it’s not quite the same for each grape and for each vintage and this is only a starting point but these top tips will at least give you a starting point in what you are looking for in determining which bottle of red is right for you. When it comes to reds, it’s best to remember that they can be overpowering in certain circumstances and it’s best to drink them around the autumn, winter period as they are the perfect drink to keep you warm when there’s a chill. It’s also good to have them with heavier meat based dishes as the characteristics of a good red work perfectly with these types of meals. So what are the characteristics you should be looking for in your Red?

Colour… When it comes to wine the older the vintage the more enjoyable it will be to drink. This is because it has been allowed time to mature. This isn’t a hard and fast rule but when it comes to luxury reds; it’s usually a good one to follow. Colour can be a fantastic method to denote age. With reds, the darker it is, the younger it is.  An older red will be tawnier in colour and this makes it a fantastic drink.

Price… When it comes to red wine, the old adage that you get what you pay for is a great way of determining quality as it’s often true. The more expensive it is, the more time and effort the wine has received from the provider. However it’s also important to note that cheaper reds aren’t always necessarily a bad thing.

Smell… Reds are often varied and rich and this often comes out in the smell of the bottle. If you want a really satisfying red, then you want a drink with a rich fruity smell that knocks you for six and ensnares the senses. Trust your nose; it won’t lead you far wrong.


Reputation… Often you can tell the quality of a truly fantastic red from what other people have already said about it. Red is a wine that draws many experts around the world to its charms and its always a good idea to have a check online as there will be an expert review somewhere you can draw the opinion of in picking your perfect choice.