Red Wine

What is Red Wine?

Red wine gets its colour, structure and character from the skins of red and black grapes. During fermentation, the juice stays in contact with those skins, drawing out colour, tannin and flavour. That's the main thing setting it apart from white wine, where the skins are usually removed early on. The result is the huge spread of styles you'll find in this range, from light and silky Pinot Noir through to bold, structured Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Every bottle carries the stamp of both its grape and its region. A cool-climate Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley tastes worlds apart from a warm-climate Barossa Shiraz, even though both sit under the same banner. That variety is exactly what makes exploring reds so rewarding, and it's why a mixed case is one of the easiest ways to find the styles you keep coming back to.

At a glance, most reds fall into three broad camps:

• Full-bodied and bold: Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, with firm tannins and rich dark fruit.

• Medium-bodied and versatile: Merlot, Grenache and many blends, easy to match with food.

• Light-bodied and elegant: Pinot Noir, with soft tannins and bright red fruit.

Popular Types of Red Wine We Offer

Choosing a red wine starts with understanding the grape. Each variety brings its own flavour, body, and character, and Australia's diverse climates mean every region puts its own stamp on the finished wine. Here's a deep dive into the six most popular red wine varietals at Just Wines.

Shiraz Red Wine

Shiraz Wine is Australia's signature red wine,  the variety the country has truly made its own. If you love bold, rich, and intensely flavoured wines with a long, complex finish, Shiraz is the best red wine variety to start with.

Flavour Profile: Dark blackberry, plum, and blueberry up front, with secondary notes of black pepper, warm spice, leather, and a touch of dark chocolate on the finish.

Tannin & Body: Full-bodied with firm, grippy tannins that soften with age. High in structure, with excellent cellaring potential of 5–15+ years depending on the producer.

Key Australian Regions: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Heathcote, Clare Valley, Hunter Valley

Food Pairing: Slow-roasted lamb, beef steak, hard aged cheeses, lamb shanks, hearty beef stew

Shop Shiraz Red Wines

Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon Wine is one of the world's most recognised red wine varieties, and Australia produces some of its finest expressions. It is the go-to variety for wine lovers who appreciate structure, depth, and wines that reward patience in the cellar.

Flavour Profile: Blackcurrant, dark plum, and cassis as the dominant fruit notes, with secondary aromas of cedar, tobacco, mint, and a subtle eucalyptus lift unique to Australian expressions.

Tannin & Body: Full-bodied with naturally high, drying tannins that integrate and soften beautifully with age. One of the most age-worthy red varieties available, often peaking at 8–20 years.

Key Australian Regions: Coonawarra, Margaret River, Barossa Valley, Yarra Valley, Wrattonbully

Food Pairing: Roast lamb, beef tenderloin, hard aged cheeses, slow-braised short ribs, venison

Shop Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wines

Pinot Noir Red Wine

Pinot Noir is the most elegant and delicate of Australia's popular red varieties. It is the perfect starting point for those new to red wine, and a perennial favourite among experienced drinkers who value finesse over power.

Flavour Profile: Red cherry, raspberry, and strawberry as the primary fruit notes, with secondary aromas of dried rose petal, forest floor, earthy undergrowth, and subtle spice from oak.

Tannin & Body: Light to medium-bodied with soft, silky tannins and vibrant natural acidity. Approachable young but can develop beautifully over 5–10 years in the cellar.

Key Australian Regions: Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania, Adelaide Hills, Geelong

Food Pairing: Duck breast, salmon, mushroom risotto, soft cheeses, roast chicken, charcuterie

Shop Pinot Noir Wines

Merlot Red Wine

Merlot is the approachable, crowd-pleasing red that consistently wins over both new and experienced wine drinkers. If you want a red wine that is smooth, easy to drink, and pairs with almost anything on the dinner table, Merlot is your variety.

Flavour Profile: Ripe plum, black cherry, and red berries as the leading notes, with secondary flavours of milk chocolate, mocha, and a touch of vanilla from oak ageing.

Tannin & Body: Medium to full-bodied with soft, rounded tannins and a plush, velvety texture. Less grippy than Cabernet Sauvignon, making it immediately drinkable straight off the shelf.

Key Australian Regions: Margaret River, Coonawarra, Yarra Valley, Langhorne Creek, King Valley

Food Pairing: Roast chicken, pork tenderloin, pasta in tomato-based sauces, semi-hard cheeses, stuffed capsicum

Shop Merlot Red Wines

Grenache Red Wine

Grenache is one of Australia's most exciting and fast-rising red varieties, vibrant, fruit-forward, and increasingly celebrated by sommeliers and collectors alike. If you enjoy wines that are expressive and lively without being heavy, Grenache is well worth exploring.

Flavour Profile: Bright red berries, pomegranate, and raspberry as the primary notes, with secondary characters of white pepper, dried herbs, and a subtle warmth on the finish.

Tannin & Body: Medium-bodied with lower tannins and bright natural acidity. Old-vine examples from McLaren Vale develop a velvety texture and concentrated depth that is truly exceptional.

Key Australian Regions: McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Riverland, Adelaide Hills

Food Pairing: Roast lamb, pork belly, Mediterranean dishes, antipasto platters, mild to medium cheeses

Shop Grenache Red Wines

Red Blends

Red blends bring together two or more grape varieties to create wines that are greater than the sum of their parts. They are perfect for wine lovers who enjoy complexity and balance without being tied to a single varietal style.

Flavour Profile: Varies by blend style,  GSM (Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre) delivers bright red fruit, spice, and a silky finish, while Cabernet Merlot offers dark fruit, cedar, and a soft, rounded mid-palate.

Tannin & Body: Medium to full-bodied, depending on the blend. GSM tends toward elegance and suppleness; Cabernet Merlot leans fuller with more structure. Both are approachable and highly food-friendly.

Key Australian Regions: McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Margaret River, Coonawarra, Langhorne Creek

Food Pairing: Grilled meats, roast vegetables, pizza, aged cheddar, lamb cutlets, beef burgers

Shop Red Blends

Additional Read: Types of red wines to try?

Shop Red Wine by Region

Barossa Valley Red Wine

The heartland of Australian Shiraz big, bold, and unmistakably Barossa Valley red wine has a warmth and richness that's hard to beat, especially with a slow-cooked winter dinner.

McLaren Vale Red Wine

Just south of Adelaide, McLaren Vale red wine is known for its spice-driven Shiraz and its standout Grenache a little more elegant than the Barossa style, with real drinkability.

Coonawarra Red Wine

Famous for its terra rossa (red) soil, Coonawarra red wine is where you'll find some of Australia's best Cabernet Sauvignon structured, savoury, and built to age.

Yarra Valley Red Wine

Victoria's cool-climate standout. Yarra Valley red wine is the place to look for elegant, lighter-bodied reds Pinot Noir especially that pair beautifully with lighter meals.

How to Choose the Right Red Wine

If you're new to red wine (or just not sure what you're in the mood for), start with what you're eating and how bold you like your flavours:

• Love big, punchy flavours? Go for a Barossa Shiraz or Coonawarra Cabernet.

• Prefer something smoother and lighter? Try a Yarra Valley Pinot Noir or a McLaren Vale Grenache.

• Cooking something rich or slow-cooked? A full-bodied red will stand up to it. Something lighter, like grilled chicken or salmon? Go for Pinot Noir.

• Buying as a gift? A mixed red wine case takes the guesswork out of it see below.

Best Red Wine Food Pairings to Enjoy

Full-Bodied Reds

Varieties like Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon pair exceptionally well with rich, hearty stews, grilled meats, BBQ favorites, roasted dishes, aged cheeses, and dark chocolate bars. Their bold tannins and intense flavors stand up beautifully to robust, flavorful foods.

Medium-Bodied Reds

Varieties like Merlot, Sangiovese, and Grenache are wonderfully versatile and go perfectly with a lot of dishes. Pair these with roasted chicken, lamb chops, pasta with tomato-based sauces, mushroom risotto, pizza, and semi-aged cheeses. Their balanced structure and moderate tannins make them ideal for casual dining.

Light-Bodied Reds

Varieties like Pinot Noir and Gamay offer delicate, elegant flavours that shine alongside lighter fare. These wines make a great combo with salmon, duck, roasted turkey, earthy mushroom dishes, charcuterie boards, and soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert. Their subtle complexity enhances rather than being too overpowering.

Red Blends

Varieties like GSM, Cabernet Merlot, and other red blends bring together the best characteristics of multiple varieties, making them incredibly food-friendly. These blends complement Mediterranean cuisine, herb-crusted lamb, spicy dishes, grilled vegetables, tapas, and a variety of cured meats. Their complexity and balance make them perfect for diverse flavour profiles and shared dining experiences.

How to Store Your Red Wine

Most of the reds we sell are ready to drink now, but if you're planning to hold onto a few bottles: store them on their side, away from direct light, at a steady 12–18°C if you can. A cool, dark cupboard away from the kitchen (heat and light are the enemy) will do the job for most everyday reds. Cellar-worthy Cabernets from Coonawarra or Margaret River can happily sit for a few years if stored this way.

Popular Australian Red Wine Brands to Stock Up

All our red wines for sale are handcrafted and manufactured by Australia's best wineries without mass-produced and overpriced labels. From the famous Adelaide Hill Shiraz wines to Hunter Valley red wines, we offer excellent quality red wines online at the most reasonable prices. Our range of red wines caters to all sorts of preferences and budgets. Just Wines carries over 100 labels of Australian red wine varieties, proudly crafted with passion. They can be served right away or cellared and consumed on a very special day. Here are some of our most popular picks:

De Bortoli Wines: One of Australia's well-known family-owned wineries, De Bortoli produces a wide range of red wines from everyday favourites to premium expressions across multiple regions.

Nannup Ridge Wines:  A boutique Western Australian producer delivering approachable, fruit-driven reds that over-deliver for their price point.

Penfolds Wines: Australia's most globally recognised wine brand, Penfolds is synonymous with quality, consistency, and some of the country's most celebrated red wine expressions, including the legendary Grange.

Angove Wines: A fifth-generation South Australian family winery known for sustainable and organic winemaking, producing honest, flavourful reds across a wide range of varieties and price points.

Jacob's Creek Wines: One of Australia's well-recognised and most widely exported wine brands, Jacob's Creek offers reliable, well-crafted reds suited to every occasion and palate.

Gapsted Wines: A respected boutique producer from Victoria's cool-climate high country, Gapsted crafts elegant, varietally expressive red wines with a distinct regional character.

Julia Hill: An approachable, easy-drinking label offering well-priced everyday reds with consistent quality and broad varietal appeal.

Long Story Short Wines: Exclusive to Just Wines, the wine label is built for easy enjoyment, unpretentious, fruit-forward reds perfect for casual occasions.

Warburn Estate Wines: A renowned winery from New South Wales, delivering great-value, crowd-pleasing red wines across a wide range of varieties and styles.