The Blog
Choosing the right red wine
March 2025
5 tips for choosing the right red wine!
With so many red wines to choose from, it’s not always easy to make the right choice and find your way around! The Vignobles Laydis team is here to share their tips with you, using a simple vocabulary to help you choose the wine that’s right for you.
Whether you’re experienced or curious, without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Understanding your preferences
Before settling on a particular bottle, it’s important to understand your personal preferences. To do this, we recommend that you try a variety of red wines – light, full-bodied, fruity, etc. – to identify their characteristics. You can also use Le Nez du Vin to help you recognize their aromas.
Next, take notes on your observations, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different wine-growing regions.
Finally, analyze grape varieties to discover their specific nuances, textures and aromas. Also explore varietal blends to see how they complement each other.
2. Differentiating between wines for ageing and young wines
Not all wines are made to age for long. Some are ready to be enjoyed quickly, while others gain in quality over time.
The style of wine you choose will also depend on the occasion. If you’re looking for a wine to drink over the next few months or 2-3 years, choose supple, fruity, easy-drinking wines like our Château Roc de Calon or Daylis by Château Roc de Calon. For example, a light, greedy red like Summer de Roc de Calon will be perfect for quick consumption. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a wine to keep for several years, choose wines with good acidity, solid tannins and concentration, such as Ecrin de Château Roc de Calon, Sauvage by Roc de Calon or Cuvée Théophile de Château Roc de Calon.
3. Learn to read a label
When choosing a wine, you’ll need to rely on the label, as the name of the estate or appellation can be a good indicator. The grape varieties used will give you an idea of the style of wine. The vintage is also very important, as wines can vary in quality from one year to the next depending on weather conditions. It will also help you determine its shelf life. Also, look at the alcohol content, as this influences the wine’s body and mouthfeel.
4. Explore food and wine pairings
If you’re looking to buy wine to accompany a meal, a good pairing can only intensify your taste experience. If there are several of you drinking and you don’t know each other’s tastes, prefer a lighter wine like Château Roc de Calon or Daylis by Château Roc de Calon, for example. A well-chosen wine will accentuate the aromas and flavors of the elements present in your dish.
Note that dark chocolate and red meat are foods that go perfectly with red wines, such as Bordeaux! On the other hand, if you’re eating fish, a white wine will sublimate it.
5. The price
The price of a bottle does not necessarily reflect its quality. Although tastes and colors are a personal matter, a high price doesn’t always mean a better wine.
Depending on what you’re looking for and what you’re looking for, there’s a bottle to suit every budget, so make sure you look at the label and what you’re going to use it for!
To put into practice what you’ve just learned, we invite you to taste the wines of Château Roc de Calon! To find out more, read our article: “How to store a bottle of red wine correctly“.
