Are you someone who switches to red wine as soon as there is a nip in the air?
If so, here are some tips to make your transition to red wines as smooth as possible:
Start with a light red that can be slightly chilled. This will make the transition less jarring if you experience another sudden heat wave.
Experiment with different types of red wine to find your favourites.
Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations from wine experts or knowledgeable friends.
Remember to store your red wine at the appropriate temperature and serve it at the right temperature for optimal enjoyment.
We recommend starting with Titerok-Akaet Ye-Yé, which verges on being a dark rosé in colour, or the A Pie de Tierra Fuerza Bruta:
The name, Titerok-Akaet, is the name the aborigines gave to the island of Lanzarote. Titerok-Akaet means "red mountain" or "the one that burns", alluding to Timanfaya Park. Ye-Yé takes its name from the 2-hectare Yé-Lajares estate, where the grapes were harvested on volcanic soils. The grapes used to create Ye-Yé are Listán Negro and Listán Blanco. They were harvested by hand in August. The wine has been aged for 11 months in 650-litre chestnut wood barrels. Only 674 bottles have been produced.
Appearance: This is a light pomegranate coloured red wine. It is also clear and bright.
Aromas: On the nose, there is evidence of chewy fruit sweets and a slight menthol undertone, as well as hints of tobacco and fig leaf tree.
Palate: Ye-Yé is a light-bodied, silky, dry and mineral red wine. On the palate, you can detect notes of tobacco, coffee, mulberry and a slight nuttiness.
Serving Temperature: This wine is great served slightly chilled at 12ºC.
Pairing: Pair this wine with summer salads, and grilled fish and vegetables.
A Pie de Tierra, Fuerza Bruta is a red wine that captures the essence of a vineyard nestled in the Alberche riverbed, on granite alluvium. This delectable 100% Garnacha wine is fashioned in the delicate style of Gredos' most sought-after wines. The winery's commitment to Garnacha vines, grown sustainably at altitude, lends a pure Mediterranean feel to the wine. The Garnacha vines, situated in the municipality of Aldea del Fresno (Madrid), are between 50 and 90 years old.
The Garnacha grapes were handpicked from leased vineyards and crafted using sustainable cultivation methods with minimal intervention and tillage.
After a 50-day maceration and spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation and was aged for 12 months in 2,000-litre chestnut barrels and 1,500-litre used foudres. It has been bottled without filtering or clarification, to preserve its natural character.
Appearance: A low layer appearance, with a cherry hue.
Aromas: A spicy nose, with hints of thyme, minerality, and violets.
Palate: Structured with salinity and rich character.
Serving Temperature: Best served at 16ºC to fully appreciate the range of flavours.
Pairing: An excellent complement to roast or grilled lamb, white meats with strong sauces, and aromatic meat stews of pork, lamb, duck, or pheasant.
When you're ready to move on to richer red wines, we suggest trying Bodega Cerrón El Tiempo Que Nos Une or Maisulan El Hondón.
Bodega Cerrón 'El Tiempo Que Nos Une' is a single varietal Monastrell that comes from organically farmed vineyards using biodynamic practices. Due to the southern location of the La Muela vineyard and its altitude, the fruit is more immediate and expressive during its short ageing phase.
This wine is often consumed during family gatherings just after the harvest, hence its chosen name: "El Tiempo Que Nos Une," which means "the time that brings us together."
Aromas: This red wine has aromas of ripe black fruit (blackcurrants, plums) black pepper, and sweet spices.
Palate: To taste, it is fresh and fluid, with a balsamic presence.
Serving Temperature: The ideal serving temperature is 16ºC.
Pairing: Enjoy as an aperitif, or paired with cold meats, cured cheese, or roasts.
For the Maisulan El Hondon, Luis and Eva followed certain Fukuoka principles. The vineyard is also certified organic.
The grapes are manually harvested, destemmed, and fermented at a low temperature with their own yeasts, and maceration takes place for approximately 15 days, depending on the vintage. The wine then sits in French 225 litre casks for 8 months.
Aromas: El Hondon is a smoky, rich red wine with subtle hints of ripe black cherries, blackberries, and background spices.
Palate: On the palate, it is silky and velvety with a long array of rich, ripe dark berries. There's a lithe and juicy feel to the finish and it has a nicely delivered, luscious style to it.
When you are ready to take your tastebuds on a further journey, try Selvàtic from Dunord Vitícola in Mallorca or 100% LN by LoHer in Tenerife.
Selvàtic has an intriguing backstory – the grapevines are planted near a coal mine in an area that was once a lush forest. The soil is rich in organic content, allowing the vines to grow sustainably without water. This Syrah and Monastrell blend with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in 100% French oak barrels, creating a unique and delicious flavour.
Appearance: Selvàtic is a gorgeous purple-red colour with blue reflections.
Aromas: It is complex on the nose, with aromas of fresh black fruit, earth and forest.
Palate: To taste, this wine is firm, well-structured, elegant, rounded and with lots of fresh fruit flavours on the palate. It leaves an aftertaste of lactic and wood notes.
100% LN by LoHer is a rich red wine from Tenerife that is sure to surprise and delight your taste buds.
Lorenzo Hernández started his journey working with old vines in Las Riquelas, located in the municipality of El Sauzal. As time went by, the winery grew to 3.5 hectares and the farming system evolved.
Despite this evolution, the 80-year-old Listán Negro vines have remained and continue to thrive.
Fatima Hernandez describes the 100% LN as the pride and joy of the winery. It represents the honesty, purity and maximum expression of the Canary Islands’ most popular grape variety. After a manual harvest, the grapes ferment with their skins for 21 days. This is followed by three months of maturation on its lees in stainless steel tanks.
Appearance: LoHer 100% LN is a medium intense cherry red colour with violet reflections.
Aromas: On the nose, this red wine has aromas of red fruits, balsamic, and figs, which are characteristic aromas of this grape variety.
Palate: In the mouth, it is very well structured with a sweet entrance and polished and persistent tannins.
Serving Temperature: 16ºC
Pairing: Try it with medium aged cheese complemented with fig chutney, and fish dishes.
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