Drink

The best red wine

Our selections of the best red wines

There are few things that are impossible to resist, red wine is one of them. This drink is not only good for our health, but it has also positioned itself as one of the most appreciated gourmet products in the world. Made with grapes, it is an alcoholic drink that has accompanied man since the beginning of time and, as the saying goes, improves with time.

1. Beronia Crianza Wine DO La Rioja 

Beronia Crianza is a wine made in 2016, a year that was characterized by its mild temperatures, which made that year’s harvest one of the most appreciated, allowing for a selective collection, at the best moment of grape maturation. The result is an excellent wine, from a mixture of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo.

This Beronia red could be the best Crianza wine, as it has a very complex aroma, made up of cherries and red fruits, together with aromatic herbs such as thyme and rosemary, with a slightly dry finish reminiscent of vanilla and tobacco. On the palate it is very fresh and sweet, with hints of pastry and a slight aftertaste that resembles that of chocolate. It is a full-bodied, pleasant wine with a long drink.

It is an excellent red wine to accompany roasts, grilled chops, Iberian sausages and cured cheeses.

See this product on Amazon

2. Viñas del Vero Tinto D. O Somontano Cabernet Merlot 

The grapes with which this wine is obtained are found on the banks of the Vero River and were planted between 1991 and 2001. More than 300 meters above the sea, the Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon vineyards of Somontano feed on its clay soils., providing a thick and strong grape. 

The 2016 vintage offered perfect conditions for a leisurely harvest. The result is a wine with a lot of character, cherry-colored and with a violet rim on the middle layer. It offers very broad and clean aromas, among which ripe black fruits such as plums and a slightly sweet finish reminiscent of vanilla stand out. 

On the palate, it is a wine that starts out smooth and continues to progress with a pleasant and round tone. Due to its persistent and smooth flavor, it is a very versatile wine, which combines with almost everything.

See this product on Amazon

3. Pata Negra Reserve DO Valdepeñas 

The Valdepeñas vineyards are characterized by growing in a slightly clayey soil, with a high level of limestone and good drainage. This very peculiar soil, together with the characteristic sunny and hot climate, contribute to the growth of a unique grape. 

The grapes selected for this Pata Negra make it one of the best red wines of 2022 for many users, who enjoy its bright ruby ​​red color. In the glass it releases its scents quickly, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of aromas such as mocha, red fruits in jam and a light final touch like tobacco. On the palate it is very tasty, with a lot of structure and silky tannins that are not bitter.

It is perfect to accompany any dish of traditional cuisine from La Mancha such as morteruelo, game pâtés or lamb shoulder with potatoes with Provencal herbs.

See this product on Amazon

4. Protos Oak DO Ribera del Duero

The Protos vineyards are oriented towards the southern slopes, so their vines get more hours of sunlight, achieving optimal ripening at the time of harvest. Its soils, irrigated with the Duero, are poor in organic matter and have a high concentration of limestone, which gives the Tempranillo grape a lot of body.

If you are thinking about which red wine to buy and you like Tempranillo, perhaps Protos is the right one. It is a cherry-colored wine with a purple rim in the middle layer. On the nose, its frank and intense aromas stand out, among which red and black fruit stand out, spicy notes and a toasted finish, reminiscent of vanilla or tobacco. On the palate it has a good structure, fruity, fresh and sweet, very balanced and with soft tannins.

It is a perfect wine to accompany pasta and rice dishes, meats, sausages and cured cheeses.

See this product on Amazon

5. Ramón Bilbao Crianza DO Rioja 6 bottles

Ramón Bilbao is considered by many users as the best brand of red wines. This Crianza has a score of 91 in the Peñín guide, which certifies the quality of this wine. This wine, created by winemaker Rodolfo Bastida, is made with 100% Tempranillo grapes, from the 2014 harvest.

It is a ruby ​​red wine with violet hues of medium intensity. In the glass it has a lot of presence, clean and bright. On the nose, it offers the same presence, opening with a medium aromatic intensity of forest fruits, combined with liquorice, ginger and dried leaves, to finish with aromas of sweet spices, vanilla, cumin and hazelnut.. On the palate it is sweet, with silky and balanced tannins.

Pairs perfectly with any plate of sausages, soft cheeses, red meats and even blue fish.

See this product on Amazon

6. Antaño Crianza Red Wine DO Rioja pack of 6 bottles

Antaño is a wine that comes from the García Carrión winery, one of the most prestigious Spanish wineries. Since 1890 the family has been dedicated to the cultivation of the vineyard and the aging of wines. Antaño Crianza could be considered the best value for money red wine, especially if you are looking for a light wine that can be bought in batches.

Made with a selection of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo grapes, all of them native to La Rioja, it offers a ruby-colored wine with a bright, medium-high layer. On the nose it is powerful, with the reduction typical of barrel aging, with aromas of berries and wood. On the palate it is energetic, with marked and somewhat cinnaric tannins, giving way to a long and soft final touch.

It is a perfect wine for roasts, game meats, cured cheeses, empanadas and even oily fish.

See this product on Amazon

7. Pradorey Oak Origin DO Ribera del Duero 

Pradorey Roble Origen could be the best red wine of the moment, as it has a score of 90 in the Peñín Guide and a bronze medal in the IWSC. This 2015 Crianza represents the reinvention of a classic, since innovative techniques were used for the first time, such as cold pre-fermentation. 

It is a red wine highly appreciated by gourmets and sommeliers from all over the world. It is a wine with a purple red color, with violet rims that do not appear in other cheaper wines. On the nose it opens with soft notes of fresh forest fruits and closes with balsamic notes, typical of the wood, reminiscent of vanilla. On the palate it is balanced, with soft and pleasant tannins and light spicy touches.

It is a wine that pairs very well with all kinds of cold meats, such as chorizo, ham and Iberian loin, cured and soft cheeses, as well as with mushrooms and meats. 

See this product on Amazon

8. Bodegas Torres Sangre de Toro Red Wine DO Catalunya 

If you are wondering what is the best red wine to accompany a meat paella, the legendary Sangre de Toro from Bodegas Torres is what you are looking for. Made by the master oenologist Josep Sabarich, with Cariñena and Garnacha Tinta grape varieties, it is a high-quality wine, with a score of 80 in the Peñín Guide.

Unlike other cheaper options, this Sangre de Toro can be kept for a long time, making it perfect for expanding your collection. It has a very dark cherry colour, with aromas of red fruits such as strawberries and a spicy finish, with hints of black pepper. On the palate it is warm, with a Mediterranean feeling, firm and with a slight note of acidity.

It is a perfect wine to accompany meat paellas, stews, game dishes, rice dishes with meat of all kinds and semi-cured cheeses.

See this product on Amazon

9. Cune Crianza Red Wine DO Rioja 6 bottles

Cune’s Crianza 2015 red wine has been awarded 90 points in the Robert Parker guide, another 90 in Wine Spectator and 90 points in Wine Enthusiast, which indicates the quality of this wine that has spent 12 months in barrels and 6 in the bottle and is made mainly from hand-picked Tempranillo grapes.

It is a bright cherry colored red with hints of violet in the middle facet. On the nose it is very pleasant, with the presence of fruity aromas of red berries and a slightly spicy and balsamic finish, thanks to the wood. On the palate it is elegant, with spicy notes and a very balanced light acidity.

It is a perfect wine to accompany any dish of the Mediterranean diet, such as legumes, vegetables, grilled and grilled meats or white fish.

See this product on Amazon

10. Matarromera Crianza DO Ribera del Duero

The Crianza de Matarromera red wine is the flagship of the Matarromera wineries. It is a wine that has the expected character of a Crianza, with a great balance between fruit and wood notes. It is made with Tempranillo grapes and is aged for 12 months in American white oak barrels, in rooms with controlled humidity.

It is a very showy wine, with a cherry red upper middle layer and abundant violet tones that indicate its long life. In the glass it has a highly complex aromatic output with powerful aromas of ripe black fruit and balsamic notes of the wood. On the palate it is tasty, with a generous mid palate and a powerful finish, with great structure and polished tannins.

To pair, this wine goes very well with all kinds of meat, both red and white, although it also goes very well with pasta and rice dishes, especially with meat. It is also perfect for cured meats and cheeses.

See this product on Amazon

Origin and Use

After our comparison of red wines, in which we have offered our opinions on the best, we continue the article talking about the origins of this drink, its uses, mixtures and its conservation, so that you know everything you need about wine and can drink a purchase decision as accurate as possible.

History

The origin of red wine is lost at the dawn of time, since its history runs parallel to that of man. Wine is an alcoholic beverage from the fermentation of grapes, produced thanks to the action of natural yeasts present in the grape skins, which are the part that remains of the grape after squeezing it. 

The first archaeological indications of the cultivation of the vine and the elaboration of beverages from the grape, date back to the years 6,000 and 5,000 BC. However, it is in the Bronze Age (3,000 BC) when it is estimated that the birth of the drink we know today. The first grape harvest for winemaking was found in Sumer, an area of ​​the Middle East, on the fertile slopes of the Tigris and Euphrates, in ancient Mesopotamia.

From there, wine production reached Egypt, where beer was already being brewed, and where the cultivation of life and winemaking began a process of specialization and industrialization. In Egypt, clay and earthen jars were used to ferment and age wine, which became a product destined for high society and religious festivities. The pharaohs were buried with wine vessels and engravings have been found depicting the wine industry.

The rapid adaptation of the grape and life to any climate allowed it to spread rapidly throughout Western Europe through trade routes, reaching from the Iberian Peninsula to China. In the Peninsula, the cultivation of the vine was introduced around 3,000 BC by the Phoenicians, who had colonies on the south and east coast. 

In Greece, wine was drunk watered down and used in all kinds of situations, from meals to funeral and religious rites. So important was wine in Classical Greece that they even dedicated their own divinity to it, Dionysus, the god of wine. In 200 BC, the cultivation of the vine passed to the Italian peninsula through the Greeks and the Romans adopted Dionysus as a divinity, changing his name to Bacchus.

The Romans improved the production and cultivation of the vine, inventing grafts and creating new varieties. Pliny the Elder dedicated an entire book to describing the different grape varieties of the time, leaving evidence of more than fifty different wines.

Since then, red wine has accompanied the human being. The wine industry has specialized and the wineries have taken the aging of life and the production of wine to the highest levels of quality, using the most innovative scientific techniques. Nowadays, each winery has master oenologists who face the elaboration of each bottle of wine, as if it were the creation of a work of art.

blends

We continue with this guide to buy the best red wine with a selection of blends and blends. The first of them, and the most famous, is the sangria. It is a very fresh drink, based on red wine, lemon and fruit, served with lots of ice and perfect to accompany summer meals.

The kalimotxo or calimocho is the second best-known blend of wine. It is typical of the northern part of Spain, especially the Basque Country, and it is a mixture of red wine with cola.

Another common and perfect combination to beat the heat is the Tinto de Verano. It is red wine mixed with soda or lemon soda, served with ice and very cold. It is a very typical drink from the Spanish coastal areas, which goes very well with a paella or a fideuá.

Conservation

Many people buy a bottle of red wine for storage. This does not usually work well with cheap wine, since wineries sell their products in the optimal state of consumption, so it is not a good idea to store them for more than a year. Depending on how much it costs, it could last up to two years, but it is not usual.

To keep the wine in the best conditions, the bottles must be kept horizontal, so that the liquid keeps the cork hydrated, since if it dries out and allows air to pass through, the content will spoil. When lying down, the oxygen will be distributed evenly throughout the wine. It should be kept in a space without changes in temperature, without vibrations or sudden movements and away from direct sunlight.

Nutritional value

Wine provides a large amount of antioxidants to the body, it also contains tannins, which are a living substance that improves cardiovascular health and prevents the formation of cholesterol in the body. A glass of red wine, about 150 cc, contains about 106 kcal and a large amount of potassium, vitamins, phosphorus and polyphenols. 

drink responsibly

Wine has an alcohol content that usually exceeds 10% by volume, so it is not recommended to drive after consuming it. In addition, it should be consumed responsibly, always without abusing.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *