RED WINE

Choosing a red wine online for your tastes

At The Melbourne Wine Store, our team is on hand to assist you at every step of the way when buying a good drop. Our experts will guide you through all aspects of purchasing red wine online, including:

• Choosing between different grapes available
• Finding out which type suits what dish
• Picking the right size bottle
• Buying online safely and securely.

Our friendly staff are always happy to help – don't hesitate to call us if you need any advice or assistance. We're here to make your experience as easy and as enjoyable as possible.

The best way to serve red wine

This type of vino ideally shouldn't be served chilled, as this could cause oxidation and spoilage.

Instead, keep your glass warmer by placing it over an ice cube until ready to drink. If you prefer not to use ice cubes, simply fill up the bottom half of the glass with water before pouring in the wine. This helps prevent the formation of foam, ensuring that your wine stays fresh and clean tasting throughout its life span, without bringing down the temperature too much.

You may also like to consider using decanters instead of glasses to ensure that you can control the amount poured into each individual glass. When choosing a decanter, look for one made from crystal rather than plastic, as these tend to hold more liquid.

Types of red wine

Dry

These are generally light-bodied with low sugar levels. They usually contain fewer tannins compared to other varieties and are great options for people who enjoy drinking them alongside a variety of dishes. Some examples include merlot and shiraz.

Semi-dry

This category includes medium-bodied wines that offer slightly higher sweetness levels and lower acidity levels compared to drier alternatives. These are ideal for pairing with spicy foods and desserts. Examples include Sangiovese, Barbera and Malbec.

Sweet

As the name suggests, these are sweeter versions of semi-dry and typically feature a high sugar content. This makes them ideal for pairings with rich foods such as chocolate cake, cheeses and meats. Sweet/sour varieties are often aged longer than others and have a stronger flavour profile. Examples include shiraz, zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon.

Fruity

In contrast to most other types, fruity red wines are naturally lighter in colour due to the presence of anthocyanin pigments found in grapes. As they age, these wines develop flavours similar to berries and cherries. Fruits such as raspberries, strawberries and blackcurrants are common ingredients used during production. Examples include pinot noir, Grenache and Merlot.

Sparkling

A sparkling version is created by adding carbon dioxide gas to the fermentation process. They are typically produced with chardonnay grapes, but the same technique can be applied to other varietals too. For example, pinot noir has been known to make excellent sparkling wine, with the bubbles adding extra complexity to the taste.

At Melbourne Wine Store, we stock all of these varieties, giving you something to suit your individual preferences. We also have plenty of white wines to choose from.