Red Wine Substitute For Cooking

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Looking for the perfect red wines to stock up on this winter? Our wine experts Stacey Smith and Alex Hale, pick their favourite bottles to enjoy, starting from just £4.99.

Whether you're a fan of big, full-bodied rioja enjoyed fireside, or prefer delicate pinot noir, read on for the best buys...

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Best Lebanese wine

Domaine des Tourelles Cuvée Pierre Brun

Domaine des Tourelles is Lebanon's oldest commercial winery, with a focus on old vines and minimal intervention techniques. This one is a blend of cabernet, syrah, cinsault and carignan, with earthy black fruit at its heart and well-balanced tannins. Savoury and full-bodied, we'd reckon this spicy number is a top wine for entertaining this festive season.

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Best malbec

Bodega Luigi Bosca Signature Malbec

A top-notch malbec from one of Argentina's best wine producers. Clean, refreshing and full-bodied, you can expect red fruit, spice and floral notes, well a touch of well-integrated oak.

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Best served chilled

Bardos Roble

Designed to be served lightly chilled (15 - 20 minutes in the fridge should do it), this is a great introduction to the Ribera del Duero region of Spain.

A little fruit bomb in the mouth, with dark cherry, fennel and eucalyptus, this would work equally well with food or sipped straight up.

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Best budget malbec

Vinalba Reserve Malbec

A single variety reserve malbec from Mendoza, that's intense and impressively complex (especially given the price!).

Rich and chocolatey with plenty of black fruit, we'd suggest trying this with a good piece of sirloin.

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Best bordeaux

Tesco Finest Margaux

At £22, this probably isn't one for everyday drinking. However, if you're looking for a special bordeaux, perhaps to pair with a rich, juicy steak — we don't think you'll find better.

Rich, ripe and vibrant, you can expect notes of black fruit, violets, spice and oak.

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Best with spare ribs

The Hedonist Ecology Shiraz Organic

If you're interested in exploring organic wine (those made without the use of artificial or synthetic chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides), this is a great place to start.

Deliciously fragrant, this Australian shiraz displays oodles of spice, alongside fresh pomegranate. It's a dream with most grilled meats, but particularly spare ribs.

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Best zinfandel

1000 Stories Zinfandel Batch 60

Made in small batches, and left to age in ex-bourbon barrels, this full-bodied zinfandel is happiest when paired with barbecued meat — whether a leg of lamb or juicy pork ribs. Expect juicy cherry, underscored with silky vanilla, spice and chocolate.

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Best with mince pies

Morrisons The Best Negroamaro

This Puglian red will give you a taste of Italy from the comfort of your own home. Packed with blackcurrant and a little smoke, we think it's a steal at £6.50. The perfect partner to a plate of warm mince pies.

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Best amarone

Morrisons The Best Amarone

It might cost a smidge more than you'd normally fork out for an own-brand wine, but rest assured, it's well worth it. We're not the only ones to think so either, as it recently scooped gold at the IWC awards.

It's aged in oak for two years before it reaches you, developing a velvety smooth texture and rich, spicy finish in that time.

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Best fleurie

Morrisons The Best Fleurie

Looking for something a little lighter this summer? Fleurie (meaning flowery in French), is the perfect summer red, as it can be served lightly chilled. Fresh, fruity and refined, it's part of theBeaujolais family, so will work well with ripe cheese.

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Best budget rioja

Faustino VII Rioja

The Faustino range includes riojas at a range of different prices — with this joven-style (meaning "young wine") coming in at a budget-friendly £8.99. The perfect accompaniment to whatever is being grilled up on the BBQ, it's fruit-forward and easy drinking — making it ideal for casual gatherings with friends this summer.

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Best red wine to drink with roast lamb

Viña Alarde Rioja Gran Reserva 2013

For rioja fans, it doesn't get better than a gran reserva, and this easy drinking crowd-pleaser is a treat. Expect soft cedar, cigar box aromas and a palate filled with vanilla and juicy black fruits.

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Best red wine to gift

Bodegas Amézola de la Mora Iñigo Amézola Tinto

Hailed as a rioja for the 21st century, this special red is only made in very special vintages. Tasting like something between a rioja and a ribera del duero, this 100% tempranillo offers up lashings of dark fruit. A rich, brooding red — we think this would make a great gift for your Christmas host.

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Best with beef

Rustenberg 'John X Merriman' 2018, Stellenbosch

A bordeaux-style red with rich black cherry, plum and blackberry, you can expect an earthy cedar note, and fresh herbal finish. Fine, firm tannins make this an ideal accompaniment to stew.

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Best with beef casserole

Château de Pennautier 2017 Cabardès

This superb value French red is super smooth, with juicy black fruit, spice and fine tannins. Try it with rich beef dishes, such as a hearty casserole.

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Best for great value Bordeaux

Vieux Remparts 2018 Lussac St-Emilion

Stocked exclusively at Majestic, bordeaux fans will adore the smooth and silky black fruit, which we think tastes way more expensive than it is. Expect delicate spice and a long, well-balanced finish.

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Best for special occasions

Waitrose & Partners No.1 Côte de Beaune

waitrosecellar.com

£29.99

For special occasions, look no further than Waitrose. The ideal pairing for roast chicken, expect red cherry, spice and toasted vanilla. A complex treat!

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Best with pork

Errazuriz Cuvee Aconcagua Pinot Noir

Beautifully balanced, fresh and light, we'd recommend pairing this Chilean pinot noir with pork or duck dishes. With light black cherry, red plum and firm tannins, it's a very food-friendly wine.

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Best with roast chicken

Vacqueyras 'Grande Garrigues Organic' 2017 Alain Jaume, Rhône Valley

Soft, sweet and earthy, this light red is fantastic with roast chicken, using black cherry and plum to support, rather than overpowering the dish.

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Best red wine by the case

M&S Classics Rioja Reserva, case of six

marksandspencer.com

£54.00

An easy drinking rioja packed with brambly black fruit, red plum, cedar and vanilla. Smooth fine tannins make this versatile red just as good, with or without food.

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Best garden-drinking red

Baron De Ley Reserva Rioja

A fabulous, much-loved garden-drinking red that punches well above its weight for the price. With serious fruit and real complexity, its deep cherry colour and complex aromas are the result of spending 20 months in new oak. Expect a hint of coconut, toffee and herbs, which works well with beef, lamb and roasted veg.

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Best with lamb

Leyda Valley Syrah

Delicious, affordable, and accessible, this Chilean red comes from the Leyda Valley, which is a cool, coastal wine region producing expressive reds, such as this Syrah. Expect a touch of oak and fresh fruit, making it a great match with lamb dishes.

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Best red wine with spicy food

ASDA Extra Special Primitivo

This deliciously easy-to-drink red has a sweet ripe cherry aroma, with an almost frangipane almond note. Smooth, with ripe red berry and plum fruit flavours, we enjoyed the fine tannins and balanced finish. Thanks to its slight sweetness, this would pair well with spicy sausage or chilli con carne.

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Best smooth red wine

Apothic Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

With its rich concentrated blackcurrant and berry flavour, this full bodied American red is a really smooth and easy drinking tipple. The finish has a subtle vanilla and spice note, which will complement hearty dishes.

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Best red wine for inexpensive day to day drinking

Toro Loco Spanish Organic Red

Uncomplicated and oh-so-easy drinking, Aldi's Spanish red is filled with bright black cheer and blackberries. It's a fantastic price, making it ideal for every day and it's organic to boot!