You will get wines all across the globe, but finding the perfect one that resonates with your taste buds is quite difficult. But, there are few countries which are experts in producing wines with beautiful flavours and aromas. And India is one of those countries.
Whether you want sauvignons or shirazes, India will never be left behind in producing them.
Moreover, there are a lot of wine brands in India that do have a beautiful taste but are not that famous. So, let me give you a slight picture of different red wine brands in India that you should definitely try out.
Best Red Wine Brands in India
As I said, there are numerous brands available in India today. But will all the wines taste good? Definitely not. Some would be able to impress your taste buds, while some may not.
Moreover, you cannot trust all the wine brands. That’s why I have brought to you a list of the 12 best Indian red wine brands that not only taste great but also are trustworthy.
1. The Wolftrap
It was in 1992 when Boekenhoustskloof got the idea to establish a red wine brand named Wolftrap. This brand is well established with its innumerable red wine collection.
Whether you want cabernet Shiraz or Pinot Noir, all these red wines will take you to the beautiful wonderland of taste.
But, the only problem is that Wolftrap prepares only limited editions. So, you will always need to have an eye on their collection.
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Alcohol Content: 14.38%
- Price of Wine: Rs. 1992
2. Four Seasons
With its renowned history of exquisite wines, Four Seasons is one of India’s top red wine brands. Producers of award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz varieties since 1983, Four Seasons produces each bottle with a focus on sophisticated flavour and complex aromas.
Every sip is an inviting mix of Indian terroir combined with modern winemaking techniques to create highly desirable and accessible wines that temper the expected intensity of diurnal temperature swings throughout the vines.
The original Lambrusco, providing the signature zesty taste that has become immensely popular among young wine connoisseurs, also originates from Four Seasons’ vineyards.
This pioneering brand has raised the bar higher in India’s wine industry by relying heavily on local grapes blended into their tried and tested blends.
Since 1983, Four Seasons has been able to build a strong personality in the field of red wines. Even many of its editions, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot, have won awards.
And do you know what’s the reason for this great success? Well, it’s the dedication of Four Seasons in its production through which it is able to bring such strong flavours and aromas.
Four Seasons knows the taste of Indian people very well, and that’s why it always tries to create a combination that includes Indian taste along with modern techniques.
And this is the reason why Four Seasons has been able to heighten itself in the wine industry in India.
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Alcohol Content: 13%
- Price of Wine: Rs. 1000
3. Big Banyan Merlot
We all have seen banyan trees, right? They are always accumulated with wide branches. Similarly, this is the case of Big Banyan Merlot. It has wide and rich red wine flavours that will surely make you fall in love with it.
With the flavour toppings of berries and the aroma of wood smoke, it becomes a perfect liquid option to have with grilled veggies like eggplants or meat. The choice is completely yours. You can enjoy the way you want.
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Alcohol Content: 13%
- Price of Wine: Rs. 750
4. Sula Rasa
Would you like to have red wines that would contain the tanginess of Karnataka and some spiciness of Maharashtra? Then, Sula Rasa can be your perfect wine partner because it contains some sort of sourness of grapes, including some spicy aroma. Wow, that’s great. Isn’t it?
Moreover, Sula Rasa offers a versatile collection of fascinating flavours like tobacco, black currant, dark cherry, and leather.
So, if you are on the hunt for some exceptional combination for your red wine, then immediately call for Sula Rasa.
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Alcohol Content: 13.5%
- Price of Wine: Rs. 1495
5. KRSMA Sangiovese
Many times, we like to have some sort of luxurious feel when we are consuming wine. Now, you might think, but how can red wine make you feel luxurious? Very simple. KRSMA Sangiovese is the answer. Both its look and flavours have a great potential to give you a 100% luxurious feel.
KRSMA has a dark ruby-red colour, which is powerful enough to attract many hearts. And its tannins are very soft, which gives an ultra-smooth texture. And its spicy aroma will just drive you crazy.
Moreover, its vast collection of flavours like tomatoes, black currant, and cherries will just heighten your luxury feel.
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Alcohol Content: 13.6%
- Price of Wine: Rs. 1800
6. Syrah Merlot
Now, all red wines have a story to tell through their exemplary flavours. And the same thing holds true for Syrah Merlot. It contains some oak flavours along with higher levels of acidity with a mixture of fruits and spices.
We all know that the alcohol content in red wines should not be more than 14%. But, many red wines do not follow this guidance. And this is where Syrah Merlot keeps itself apart from other wines. Yes, it contains the exact 14% of alcohol in it. Isn’t it great?
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Alcohol Content: 13%
- Price of Wine: Rs. 1500
7. York Arros
Indian wine connoisseurs around the world have been raving about York Arros. An up-and-coming producer of red wines, York Arros, has quickly established a name and reputation for producing exceptionally high-quality bottles of red wine.
When it comes to red wines, for high quality, you will have to pay a big price. But what if you can have a higher-quality red wine at an affordable price?
Yes, it is possible through York Arros. Its variations, like Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, are so powerful in taste that you would not resist having them for the second time.
But will the quality be compromised here? Not at all.
From smooth texture to beautiful aromas, York red wine has everything in store that you could enjoy with your food. And that’s the only reason why York Arros is becoming popular day by day at such a fast pace.
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Alcohol Content: 14.3%
- Price of Wine: Rs. 800–1500
8. Myra Misfit
I am sure many of you might be casual drinkers, right? And so, there is one red wine brand that is famous in India and the US. And that brand is nothing but Myra Misfit.
Myra red wine is something you can enjoy with and without the combination of meals because it has soft tannins that would melt down easily in your body.
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Alcohol Content: 14.3%
- Price of Wine: Rs. 1500
9. Fratelli Sette
Fratelli Sette possesses some great combinations that make it one of the best red wines in India. And do you know what it is? Firstly, Fratelli Sette is made from Sangiovese grapes, which very much tastes similar to roasted oak.
Secondly, it contains the strong fragrance of dried cherries and liquorice. Sounds much like catching up with Italian flavours. But this is actually true.
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Alcohol Content: 13.5%
- Price of Wine: Rs. 2000
10. Syrah Reserve
There are some wines whose looks are enough to captivate our hearts. And Syrah Reserve is one of them. Its soft tannins and utilises modern winemaking techniques; just make sure to have red wine in your home for parties.
Moreover, Syrah Reserve has some catchy flavours of blackberry, smokey herbs, and liquor that would really take you on a small tour of France through its beautiful flavours and aromas.
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Alcohol Content: 14.5%
- Price of Wine: Rs. 750-1500
11. Charosa
Talking about Charosa, through its European winemaking techniques, it has become one of my favourite red wine brands.
Thinking about it? Well, it’s completely because of the inclusion of a unique combination of soil and vine. Yes, this is true. And this is where Charosa stands apart from other red wines.
Some of its variations, like Shiraz Cabernet and Tempranillo, are beautiful in creating mesmerizing flavours and aromas. Moreover, being a firm believer in quality, Charosa always follows a strict follower of consistency. And, so you can think how fascinating Charosa would be in creating some mind-blowing flavours.
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Alcohol Content: 13%
- Price of Wine: Rs. 1500
12. Grover Zampa
It was in the 90s when two Indian brothers, Rahul and Arijit Grover, decided to rock the world with a full-packed, energetic red wine. And, as the Grover brothers originated it, they named it Grover Zampa.
And this is the dedication of the Grover brothers, that the popularity of Grover Zampa is growing tremendously quickly in India.
There is not a single flavour that Grover Zamba red wine cannot carry with it. From fruity and juicy to complex-flavored red wines, Grover Zampa has everything in store for you.
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Alcohol Content: 14%
- Price of Wine: Rs. 1500-2000
How to Choose a Good Wine?
Are you going to host a rocking party tonight? Then, of course, you would need beautiful red wine to enhance the flavours of your party dinner. Isn’t it?
So, you might visit an online or offline store for wine shopping. But guess what? There has been a huge ocean of different kinds of red wines.
Now, how to find out which one will suit you the best? Don’t worry.
To escape this confusion, you just need to follow my tips for choosing the best red wine for yourself. So, are you ready?
What are the Basics of “Good Wine?”
Are wines also good and bad? Of course, they are just like the fruits and veggies you would find in both good and bad conditions. But, here I will tell you some points which will definitely help you out in figuring the good red wines:
- Acidity: Wines have different acidic levels. Highly acidic wines will taste acidic, while low-acidic wines will give a rich taste.
- A pleasing aroma: Good wine will always carry a sense of pleasant aroma like fruity, earthy, or floral.
- A well-balanced taste: A good wine should always have a proper balance of everything, whether it is acidity level, alcohol content, or taste. Every content should be balanced.
- A long finish: Any wine’s quality is measured based on its finish level. If it has a long finish, wine is surely going to be on a long run.
- Alcohol: In wine, the amount of alcohol content is very important. If it is higher, that means your red wine is surely going to have some sort of immense warmth. Ideally, every wine should contain 11-13% of alcohol.
So, as you saw, these are the qualities of a good wine. So, from now on, you will be able to figure out the perfect wine for yourself.
10 Expert Tips for Picking a Good Bottle of Wine
For choosing the correct and the good wine, you will always have to be ready to answer a few questions to yourself. Now, what are these questions? Let me tell you.
1. Think about other flavours you love.
All wines taste differently. And so do your taste preferences. If you like sweet flavours, you will obviously not like bitter-flavoured wine and vice versa. So, it is very much essential to think about your favourite flavours by answering 2 simple questions:
- Do you like bitter flavours like that of coffee? If you answer yes, then you should try Old World Wine, which originated from places like France and Italy. You can even try out New World Wine, which was initiated in the US and Australia.
- Do your taste buds like to have sweet juices like apple juice or the dry flavour of grapefruit juice? Then, you should, without any doubt, opt for sweet white wines or dry white wines. Simple.
2. Don’t worry about the vintage of your wine.
Many of us get mistaken in having tons of worries about the wine vintages. But, as per me, if you enjoy every little sip of wine, why worry about its vintage?
Because, my dear friend, all the wine vintages do not have the same tastes. And, it is obvious that all the vintages are surely not made for all types of dishes.
So, always go for the wines whose taste impresses you rather than worrying about vintages.
3. Think about the situation.
Do all the wines have the same use? Definitely not. All the different types of wines are intended for different purposes. So, you have to use all the wines very wisely.
You have to take into account the situation in which you require wine. Is it for a party or simply drinking with food? Once you are ready with your answer, you are ready to go.
- Do you need wine to accompany your food? If yes, then in my regard, you should opt for white wine for a light dinner like chicken, and you can use red wine for a heavy dinner like lamb.
- Do you need wine for your rocking party? If yes, then here you will need to think about your guests. What kind of taste do your guests prefer? Some might prefer white wine, while others might be comfortable with red one. So, here, you will have to include both types of wines.
- Do you like to mix wine with other drinks or drink it as it is? Why is this question so important? Well, it will decide how costly or cost-effective wine you prefer. If you habitually mix wine with other drinks, you should opt for the cheaper red wines. Because, once mixed, wine’s taste will be mixed with other drink’s taste. So, go for the costly wines if and only if you want to enjoy the taste of wine.
4. If you’re new to wine, drink a white or rose
If you are the one who has never tasted wine before, then my friend, always opt for white wine or rose. Because first-time experiments will hurt you, and it might also happen that you would not try them in future. Remember, the first impression is the last impression.
So, when you are a newbie in the world of drinking wines, never go for cabernets or merlots, as they are meant for experienced people.
5. Be aware of the wines you sample
When you are experimenting with different flavours of red wine, I have a simple trick for you that will help you figure out which will suit you the best.
Firstly, once you buy the wine bottle, always get an idea of its different ingredients and their levels. This will surely give you an idea of the ingredients matching your taste buds.
Secondly, many wine apps are available for your phone that helps you find perfectly matching wines for you. What you have to do is you just have to try the different wines.
Once tasted, you must visit the wine app and rate the wine you bought and tasted. This will also help you in figuring out the perfect wine for you.
6. Find “second-label” wines.
All the great red wines are not easy to get. You have to pay a high price for it. And everyone cannot afford to pay this high price. So, what to do? It’s very simple. You should go for second-label red wines. These wines are tasty and affordable.
Many popular red wine brands in India have made their second-label wines available to match the affordability of all their valuable customers.
7. Don’t let price dictate your choice
Do you know what we think about the sale? We think that low-quality products are sold on sale. But do all the sales are conducted for this reason? Not at all. At least, this is not the case for wines.
So, if you find any sale for red wines, consider them low quality or duplicate, and not purchasing them would be your biggest mistake.
Instead, you should take advantage of such sales to get your perfect red wine at an affordable price.
8. Always look up the label and understand what it says
Whenever you are up for buying red wine, always try to read all its labels. This will help you understand what exactly your red wine has in store for you.
Moreover, by reading the label, you will also get to know if the wine has not expired. Because many times, it’s the case that you buy the wine bottle, investing many rupees and not knowing of it being expired.
9. Say yes to bottles with screw caps
I always prefer to have wine bottles with screw caps. Why? Because such bottles always contain fresh content, unlike the capped bottles, which, once opened, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy the fresh taste.
Moreover, wine bottles with screw caps will be an easy option to carry when you want to go out for a picnic with friends. But, yes, don’t forget to carry the bottle opener with you.
10. Now and again, you should try a new type of grape.
When you want to drink wine, you never have the fear of experimenting with different tastes.
Because all the red wines will obviously contain different types of grapefruits, all will taste differently. So, there are chances where you would like some wine to a higher level. While for others, you never want to look at them.
So, it’s a thing of experimenting to get your perfect red wine brand.
