UB40 had it right; red, red wine really does go to your head. But unlike the song's heartbreak remedy, building a red wine collection should bring joy, not regret. The trick isn't drinking more; it's drinking smarter, chasing the wines that make you pause mid-sip and forget what you were saying.
8,000 Years of Liquid History
Long before Bordeaux existed, ancient Georgians were burying clay vessels called qvevri underground and letting crushed grapes teach them the difference between drinking and savouring. That was roughly 8,000 years ago.
The Romans spread wine culture across Europe. Monks perfected techniques in Burgundy's monasteries. And South African winemakers have spent centuries earning their rightful place at the global table, producing wines that now rival the world's finest. Every glass connects you to that thread. A nice thing to know mid-sip.
How Red Wine Gets Its Character
Red wine's iconic colour comes from skin contact during fermentation. The longer juice mingles with grape skins, the deeper the hue and bolder the structure. This same process extracts tannins, those compounds creating the dry, gripping sensation on your palate that gives wine its backbone.
Oak ageing adds another dimension entirely. French oak brings subtlety and elegance; American oak leans sweeter with hints of vanilla. What happens in the bottle matters just as much. A young Cabernet's black cherry and firm tannins evolve into tobacco, leather, and cedar over five to seven years. Patience rewards the collector.
Understanding Body: Light to Full
Matching wine to the moment starts with understanding body:
- Light-bodied – Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Cinsault deliver elegance with raspberry, mushroom, and earthy flavours. Perfect for summer afternoons or when you want something refined without heaviness.
- Medium-bodied – Merlot and Cabernet Franc occupy this sweet spot. Expect plum flavours, softer tannins, and that distinctive cut grass freshness from Cab Franc that lifts any meal.
- Full-bodied – Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Nebbiolo demand attention. These are the bottles worth cellaring. They want flame-kissed steak and a winter night by the fire.
Don't confuse body with brilliance; a whisper of Pinot Noir can say just as much as a Cabernet shouting from the rooftop.
Building Your Red Wine Collection
A red wine collection isn't a museum exhibit. It's meant to be opened, shared, and enjoyed throughout life. A well-rounded cellar includes diversity, wines from different regions, grape varieties, and drinking windows. Here's how to build one that makes sense:
- Core varietals – Cabernet Sauvignon for structure, Merlot for approachability, Pinot Noir for elegance, Cabernet Franc for aromatic intrigue.
- Mix your drinking windows – Keep bottles ready to drink now, others for medium-term ageing, and a few tucked away for the long game.
- Buy from the right places – South African wines from Stellenbosch, Swartland, and Upper Hemel-en-Aarde sit in that sweet spot; serious enough to cellar, priced like they want you to actually drink them.
- Store properly – The ideal temperature sits between 12°C and 16°C, with 60–70% humidity. Store wine in a cool, dark, and stable environment. Keep bottles on their side and away from vibration.
Pairing Wine With Food and Seasons
We don't choose seasonal wine. It chooses us.
Summer calls for lighter options served slightly chilled, Pinot Noir or fresh Cabernet Franc with its green, earthy notes. Winter invites Cabernet Sauvignon and rich blends to accompany braised meats.
Classic pairings exist for good reason:
- Cabernet Sauvignon – Medium-rare steak, lamb, anything with char for the tannins to cut through
- Shiraz – Juicy, flame-kissed steak or barbecue flavours
- Pinot Noir – Duck, salmon, mushroom dishes; the most versatile wine at the table
- Merlot – Pasta, pork tenderloin, pizza
- Cabernet Franc – Grilled vegetables, goat cheese, dishes with fresh herbs that echo its leafy touch
The Flavours Worth Knowing
Tasting notes feel pretentious until they click. Then they become genuinely useful for finding more of what you love:
- Black cherry and plum – The dark, ripe fruitiness anchoring most quality wines
- Tobacco and leather – Signs of proper ageing and mature development
- Vanilla and spice – Oak influence, more pronounced with extended barrel time
- Cut grass and herbs – Cabernet Franc's signature freshness
- Earth and mushroom – Great Pinot Noir's savoury depth, often called "forest floor"
Pay attention to what you taste. Over time, your palate becomes your best guide.
Why South African Wines Deserve Attention
South African wines remain one of the world's best-kept secrets, though that's changing rapidly.
Stellenbosch produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends rivalling the pinnacle of French winemaking. Swartland has become a hotbed of innovation for natural wines and bold red blends. The Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley delivers Pinot Noir with genuine Burgundian character. These aren't imitation wines, they're distinctly South African expressions shaped by unique soils and winemakers with nothing to prove.
Start Here
Browse the Great Domaines red wine collection. Filter by country, grape, or style. Every bottle travels in perfect condition, so you can focus on the harder question: what to open first.
Red, red wine. Stay close to me.