From Vineyards Direct stock red wine by country, so you can easily discover our offerings from famous wine regions across the globe. From the sun-kissed hills of Spain to the mineral-rich soils of France and South Africa, and the volcanic vineyards of Italy. Full of nuance, complexity, and serious pedigree, our collection of red wines by country will have something for everyone, regardless of preference.
Red Wine by Country
Red Wine by Country - A Delicious Diversity in Tradition
French red wines are defined by their structure, supported by appealing acidity, dark, fruity flavourings, and high tannins and alcohol content. Each winemaking region of France has something unique to offer, producing wines that absorb the substantial minerality of each terroir to create complex, savoury, non-fruit aromas and flavours. France’s generally cooler climate keeps its wines fresh and vibrant, prioritising balance over power, which translates beautifully into phenomenal accompaniments to rich European cuisine.
Spanish wines bridge the earthy austerity of the old-world European wines and the ripe generosity of New World varietals. Absorbing the sun's rays and ripening to luscious perfection, Spanish grapes are comparably highly concentrated, soft and possess high alcohol content for ultimate intensity. These characteristics produce wines that are intensely plush, fruit-forward and velvety. Aged Spanish wines possess mellow tannins, which make them smooth and approachable for beginners, but with a complexity to satisfy seasoned connoisseurs.
Italian red wine offers a uniquely rustic charm, creating an intense regional identity with its high natural acidity and firm structure. Italian reds are often described as fresh, lively and incredibly balanced, perfect for rich and heavy Italian cuisine. The powerful structure of Italian red wine can require years, sometimes decades, to soften, a quality that strongly appeals to collectors. Italy possesses thousands of native grape varieties, including Sangiovese, which delivers tart cherry, refreshing tea leaf and earthy notes. Conversely, Aglianico provides deep, volcanic spice, individual to Italy’s winemaking regions.
Lastly, red South African varietals have a distinctly smoky regional character, blending intense sun-ripened grapes and an Old World structure for bold flavours and muscular complexity. If nothing else, South African red wine is savoury, blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and local varietals to give these reds a delightfully concentrated edge. South Africa’s signature blend is Pinot Noir and Cinsault, offering dark plum and blackberry flavours with undertones of smoked meat, coffee and cocoa.
Red Wine by Country FAQs
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What are the 5 Famous Wine Regions in France?
The 5 famous wine regions in France are Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and the Valleys of Loire and Rhône. Each region is distinctly impressive, offering fruit-forward single-grape varietals and aged blends, from approachable to intimidatingly powerful. Many of the world’s most famous appellations lie in these regions, consistently producing iconic wines for export worldwide.
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What are the Five Famous Wine Regions in Spain?
Spain’s five most famous winemaking regions are Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rías Baixas, Penedès and Jerez. Each region benefits from the Spanish sun, growing luscious, alcohol-rich wines that create complex character and ageing potential. The Jerez region in particular is significant for producing world-famous Sherry and fortified wines.
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What are the 5 Famous Wine Regions in Italy?
The 5 famous wine regions in Italy are Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily and Puglia. The diverse Italian landscape and unique indigenous grape varieties create wines like no other country in the world. Their flavour profiles develop from the mineral-dense soils and volcanic terroirs, developing robust, high-quality red wines renowned worldwide.
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Where is the Wine Region in South Africa?
South Africa is home to several key wine regions, but the main one is located in the Western Cape province, known as the Cape Winelands. This is a coastal region with multiple sub-regions that produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinotage. There is also the Cape South Coast, which is a cooler-climate region producing Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.