Our Fruity Red Wines

A fruity red wine is not necessarily a light wine or a sweet wine. It is above all a wine that puts fruit front and centre: crunchy cherry, fresh raspberry, juicy blackberry, generous plum or well-ripened dark fruit. As the opposite of very oaky or very tannic reds, fruity red wines seduce through their accessibility and convivial character. They are often the bottles that win unanimous approval around the table.

At Vinodelice, we have selected fruity red wines from France, Argentina, Australia, Chile, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Portugal, the United States and South Africa. Because fruit has no borders.

How to choose a fruity red wine?

Not all fruity red wines are alike. Some rely on freshness and crunchy red fruit. Others offer more body, dark fruit or spices. The best fruity red wine depends above all on your taste.

Do you love light, low-tannin wines?

Opt for grape varieties such as Gamay, Pinot Noir or Cinsault. Their entirely fresh profile often evokes cherry, raspberry or wild strawberry. In our selection, Justine Baudry's organic Gamay "Les Pieds sur Terre", Central Otago Pinot Noirs or Brash Higgins' Cinsault are perfect entry points.

Do you love round and generous wines?

Turn to Malbec, Merlot, Primitivo or certain Grenaches. You will find notes of blackberry, plum, black cherry and sometimes a touch of gentle spices. Argentine Malbec, Patagonian Merlot or Primitivo from Puglia perfectly illustrate this generous and accessible style.

Do you love fruity wines with character?

Lovers of more structured wines will appreciate Chilean Carignans, Australian Nero d'Avola, McLaren Vale Shiraz or certain Rhône Valley blends. The fruit remains at the heart of the wine, but it is accompanied by spiced, garrigue or peppery notes that bring more complexity.

Do you love fruity wines with depth?

Some wines manage to combine fruit, complexity and gastronomic potential. This is notably the case for great Rhône wines such as Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the finest Tuscany Sangioveses or certain cool-climate Pinot Noirs. The fruit remains very present, but is accompanied by spiced, floral or garrigue notes that enrich the tasting experience.

A world tour of fruity red wines

At Vinodelice, we hold one conviction: fruit never expresses itself in exactly the same way depending on the terroir. A Loire Gamay often reveals fresh red fruit aromas and great drinkability. A Salta Malbec reveals more blackberry, plum and violet. A Central Otago Pinot Noir plays on cherry, gentle spices and elegance. As for McLaren Vale Grenaches, they offer a more sun-drenched, generous and spiced expression.

This collection invites you to explore the many faces of fruit through some of the world's finest vineyards: Loire, Rhône, Tuscany, Rioja, Mendoza, Salta, Central Otago, McLaren Vale, Maule Valley and California. Because a fruity red wine can be crunchy, delicate, intense, spiced or generous — and it is precisely this diversity that makes it so fascinating.

Our top picks for discovering fruity red wines

For discovering crunchy fruit

• Justine Baudry "Les Pieds sur Terre" Gamay
• Nanny Goat Pinot Noir

For lovers of generous dark fruit

• The Llama Malbec
• Pietra Pura Mandus Primitivo Di Manduria

For exploring more complex profiles

• Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• J. Bouchon Vigno Carignan

The star grape varieties of fruity red wines

Gamay - Cherry, raspberry, strawberry: Low tannins

Pinot Noir - Cherry, redcurrant, gentle spices: Low to medium tannins

Primitivo - Plum, blackberry, black cherry: Low to medium tannins

Malbec - Blackberry, plum, violet: Medium tannins

Grenache - Ripe red fruit, spices: Medium tannins

Merlot - Plum, blackcurrant, dark fruit: Medium tannins

Sangiovese - Cherry, aromatic herbs: Medium tannins

Carignan - Dark fruit, spices, garrigue: Medium to firm tannins

Pinotage - Dark fruit, spices: Medium to firm tannins

Shiraz - Blackberry, pepper, spices: Medium to firm tannins

Zinfandel - Ripe dark fruit, gentle spices: Medium tannins

Nero d'Avola - Black cherry, plum, spices: Medium tannins

Fruity red wine and food pairing

Aperitif: Gamay, Pinot Noir, Cinsault

Charcuterie: Gamay, Pinot Noir

Pizza: Sangiovese, Grenache

Burger: Malbec, Zinfandel

Barbecue: Côtes-du-Rhône, Shiraz

Mediterranean cuisine: Grenache, Nero d'Avola

Roast poultry: Pinot Noir

Soft-rind cheeses: Gamay, Pinot Noir

Is a fruity red wine necessarily sweet?

No. Most fruity red wines are perfectly dry. The fruity character comes from the aromas naturally developed by the grape variety, climate and winemaking. A Pinot Noir, a Gamay or a Malbec can appear generous and fruity while containing very little residual sugar.

FAQ: Everything you need to know about fruity red wines

What is the best grape variety for a fruity red wine?

Gamay, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Grenache and Primitivo are among the most popular. The best choice depends above all on your preferences between fresh red fruit, ripe dark fruit or more spiced profiles.

Which fruity red wine to choose when you dislike tannins?

Gamay, Pinot Noir and Cinsault are generally the best choices. They offer plenty of fruit, a supple texture and little astringency.

Is a fruity red wine necessarily sweet?

No. The vast majority of fruity red wines are dry. The sensation of fruit comes from the aromas, not from sugar.

Which fruity red wine to choose for an aperitif?

The lightest and most supple styles, such as Gamay or Pinot Noir, are particularly well suited to the aperitif.

Which fruity red wine with a barbecue?

For grilled dishes, opt for more generous wines such as a Malbec, a Grenache, a Côtes-du-Rhône or an Australian Shiraz.

Which fruity red wine to give as a gift?

A New Zealand Pinot Noir, an Argentine Malbec, an Italian Primitivo or a Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape all make excellent gift ideas.

Which fruity red wine under €15?

Lovers of good value can turn to certain Gamays, Malbecs, Grenaches or Primitivos that offer plenty of fruit and pleasure without breaking the budget.