The secret to picking the perfect red wine

It has to be red at this time of year, says our wine expert, and there’s an insider tip for choosing one you’ll love.

Young woman in a white jumper smelling a glass of red wine while standing next to a roaring fire

By Joe Fattorini | Published - 10 Nov 2025

Did you know that some sommeliers have a secret trick that helps them recommend the perfect red wine? They’ll ask you how you drink your coffee.

Because it turns out that the coffee you like reveals the wine you’ll like. And it’s backed by the science of your palate. So, here are the wines you’re guaranteed to love, all scientifically paired to your palate.

Do you like lattes and lots of milk in your coffee? Or even prefer tea? Then you have lots of tastebuds and you may even be a 'supertaster'.

Your tastebuds can get overwhelmed by flavours, and you may well think you prefer white or rosé. But don’t worry, there are light red wines just for you. Even red wines you can chill. Look for grapes like Gamay, Cinsault, Pinot Noir and Frappato.

Being light doesn’t mean being simple. Billy Bosch Bushvine Cinsault 2022 (£10.79) from South Africa blends juicy cherry fruit with floral aromas, and has a supple mouthfeel. Perfectly suited to your 'supertaster' palate. You can – and should – give it 30 minutes in the fridge before serving to bring out that bright cherry character.

Are you a cappuccino or flat white drinker? Or maybe you like a black Americano? Then you have a 'sensitive' palate, meaning you have adventurous tastebuds that enjoy a broad range of grapes and styles. Malbec, Merlot, Barbera and Carignan are where you’ll find your perfect bottle, as well as wines like Valpolicella and Rioja.

You’re looking for wines with nuance, balance and generous fruit. Try Les Arbousiers Malbec 2024 (£11.99) from the grape’s spiritual homeland in south-west France. It's a lively, generous wine with sun-kissed fruit and violet scents, perfect to serve with grills and roasts, and ideal for sharing with friends.

Espresso drinkers and fans of strong, dark coffee – you are a special breed. You have a 'tolerant' palate that gives you a love of big, bold and firmly structured reds.

The sort of wines that need time to open up and reveal themselves. Wines that demand a decanter, from grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Nebbiolo or Georgian Saperavi.

You’re looking for a mouth-filling treat like the award-winning The Black Pig The Prize Shiraz 2023 (£19.99). This is a colossus of a wine, with layers of black fruit, spice and richness, all wrapped in a structure that’s robust, complex and intense. A bold, bravura wine for roasts and contemplation that needs a palate to match.

Looking for reds that everyone will love? Make sure you have the Perfect Christmas Red Six Pack from Vintage by Saga. Costing just £56.94, it contains two bottles each of three crowd-pleasing reds: a supple Garnacha from the Spanish hills, a perfumed Pinot Noir from Romania, and a juicy Chilean Merlot. Perfect for midweek winter suppers.

(Hero Image credit: Getty Images)

Written by: Joe Fattorini

Joe Fattorini is a British radio and television presenter, wine expert and sommelier. He's known to millions around the world as “Obi Wine Kenobi” the expert presenter on The Wine Show.

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