Welcome to a worldwide wine line-up, from established favourite French regions to something a little edgier down New Zealand way. En route, you'll find fruity complexity and sleek smoothness abounding, because easy drinking red wine can be jolly well full to bursting with personality and interest.
OK, there are times when you want a big beefy belter of a red wine, like when you've got a thumping great steak to pair with. You might be passionately attached to this kind of powerful partner, but there are also times when you want a somewhat more easy-going and casual affair with something lighter bodied and even a little more fun.
Take summer. For some, it's the season of fizz. But if you're all about the red, there's no reason why you should forego your forest fruits fix during the hotter months. When the sun comes out, so can the right red wine. It's all about knowing which ones will complement that particular season.
So, we'll look at eight of the best easy drinking red wine choices. Grab a glass and let's get pouring.
1. Benjamin Darnault Minervois 2022
For many, there's only one place to go for an easy drinking red wine: a good reliable Minervois. It has to be said that this particular example takes a lot of beating. It's got full fruit forward appeal, juicy quaffability in spades, and is smoother than Alain Delon. In a cravat.
If you're after a rewarding sip that refreshes every palate then you really should try this one from the very epicentre of this famous wine region. Not over-rich, and with a playful character that completely belies its bargain basement price tag. Great on its own or paired with camembert, tapas or roast pork.
2. F. Stephen Millier Angels Reserve Lodi Merlot 2021
Another fruity triumph, this Californian Merlot is packed with plum and chocka with cherry. That's not all - there's a nice complexity here courtesy of the note of vanilla spice that follows the fruit-filled overture. Winemaker Stephen Millier has been producing hugely well-received labels for a long time now, and this is no exception.
Coming in at under a tenner, this is a wine not to be missed. Even if the sun's not shining where you're drinking it, you can taste Californian sunshine in every sip. Looking for a food pairing tip? Most cured meat or mushroom dishes will be very happy to find themselves in a couple with this hugely appealing wine.
3. Lay of the Land Ben Morven Farm Pinot Noir 2021
Those who think that New Zealand is just good at Sauvignon Blanc are in for a pleasant surprise here: the country has a rich pedigree in easy drinking red wine. Berries are to the fore with this antipodean charmer, with every mouthful delivering a punnet of pleasure. You'll also get notes of liquorice and even a sprinkling of black pepper.
Pair it with slow-roasted lamb and you'll be in red wine heaven. Mike Paterson, the man behind this full bodied (but not overpowering) Pinot Noir, is better-known for his Sauvignon Blancs, but with Lay of the Land he's really putting his red wine on the map.
4. Arabella Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
You might be forgiven for thinking that Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be on the powerful side. There are certainly some muscular examples, but there are also sensationally smooth instances, such as the Arabella Reserve from South Africa.
Using the estate's oldest vines, winemakers Stephen and Jamie de Wet have captured beautiful notes of dark fruits and terrific complexity. As with all good red wine though, it doesn't stop there. Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape variety that, in the right hands, can deliver an easy drinking red wine experience, perfect for parties. It also combines well with a rich meat dish, or a blue cheese appetiser.
5. Camille Cayran 'Camille's Secret' Cotes du Rhone 2021
The Rhone valley is rightly famous for its red wine, with an impressive range of full bodied as well as lighter bodied wines, including this terrific choice from winemaker Denis Crespo. He certainly has terroir on his side - the Cayran (aka Cairanne) region nestles among some of the most famous names in the red wine game, including Chateauneuf du Pape and Vacqueyras.
The grape varieties that Crespo uses (Grenache, Carignan and Syrah) combine sensationally to give a result that's fruitier than a particularly cheeky Carry On film. And if you're after a nice pair, try it with some plump hearty baps. Matron!
6. Kimbao Pinot Noir 2022
As far as the Pinot Noir grape goes, you can't hope to find a country better suited to growing it than Chile. Why? It's all about the mix of sun-filled days and chilly nights, as well as a good but not diluvial amount of rain. The resulting red wine has a lustrous ruby hue that will get you reaching for a jeweller's eyepiece. And the very first mouthful will give you a berry burst that hits like a strawberry tart right in the face.
Constanza Schwaderer, the winemaker behind this berried belter, is a bit of rebel: she started out on her own when she was sacked from a winery for criticising its mass-produced output. Their loss, our gain. Pair it with some tasty vegetable empanadas and your palate will think it's upped sticks and flown to South America. Felices fiestas!
7. Vigna Barbischio Chianti Classico Riserva Organic 2020
Italian cuisine has long reserved a spot for a thumpingly-good, medium bodied, flavourful red wine, and that spot is more often than not taken by a solid Chianti. This particular one is a great example of why Chianti has featured on so many lists of the best red wine, giving an interesting drinking experience that can be enjoyed as an easy drinking wine as well as stepping up to the plate when a more complex range of flavours is needed.
Light fruit predominates at first, followed by redcurrant and a splash of balsamic. Whatever reason you drink red wine, you'll not be disappointed in this Tuscan triumph from a winemaker with over 30 years' experience.
8. Brewery Hill Assemblage
If you think all Australian red wine is like Jammy Red Roo, think again. You can find easy drinking examples that are stuffed full of bright fruit and will be welcome at any gathering. This one, from Jock Harvery, viticulturist at Brewery Hill, also features a smoothness that would eclipse a freshly-planed whippet.
Plus, you can look forward to dark chocolate and smoky oak from this enticing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. And all for a truly down under price. Pair it with a full-on roast dinner or a mushroom rogan josh and you'll be a very happy red wine drinker indeed.
Easy drinking red wines for every glass
There are some downright sensational easy drinking red wine options out there right now. You can go fabulously fruity, or seriously smooth, or even a mix of the two. The important thing is never to confuse easy drinking with dull. And the great news is that there's never been a better time to experience great quality easy drinking red wine from around the world. So, cheers! Sante! Saluti!
Image Credit: Kelsey Knight at unsplash
