10 Best Red Wines in the Philippines | Best of Food 2023

The holidays are here, so it’s time for good food, reunions, and celebration!  And honestly, no celebration is complete without a glass of red wine.  After all, it’s not only a fantastic drink for mingling, but it also goes well with food. With an extensive brand of red wines in the market, which then is the best in the Philippines? In our Best of Food series, we introduce the 10 Best Red Wines in the Philippines, providing quality recommendations based on your budget and needs.

This article was last updated on 19 February 2023.

10 Best Red Wines in the Philippines

1. Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine

Widely available in supermarkets

Yellow Tail is an Australian wine that can be bought in most supermarkets in the Philippines, and we’re almost certain you’ve seen it at least once peeking out from the shelves of your local store. This Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine is currently highly popular and easy to buy since it is aimed at the younger upmarket adult. It’s classic and silky, with notes of black cherry and chocolate. It also has hints of black currant, sweet mocha, and spice, making it great for keeping the whole family and guests entertained during the holidays. Even better, goes best with hearty pasta dishes such as spaghetti, lasagna, or meat, so it’s a truly perfect drink for the coming Christmas season.

Light and easy-to-drink

In addition, most consumers were surprised by the wine’s light body and juiciness, which is far from a typical Cab. Still, the fact that this was an easy-to-drink wine can’t be ruled out. It’s a bit acidic, but it’s also not very sweet, so it might not be suitable for beginners. However, for seasoned drinkers, this will also carry their drink to the bar. After all, the balance of flavours it possesses will make Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon a great base for a bottle of Sangria!

Why buy this:

• Easy to find and buy
• Reasonably priced
• 5-star rating on Shopee
• Easy to drink, best for beginners

2. Clos Mogador – Priorat Spanish Red Wine

Featured in the 2020 Wine Style Awards

The Priorat region of Spain is known for producing some of the world’s most inky, deep, and intense wines, and Clos Mogador, a family-run winery, is one of the most highly respected. The Priorat wine bursts with red berries, baking spice, and a very light smokey note that lends complexity to the wine in the same way that grilling a plum brings out a new level of taste. Moreover, it’s smooth on the tongue and chameleonic in-depth, with notes of minerals and leather peeping through at moments.

While the price tag may be extremely costly, we believe this is a rare collectable bottling as it is one of Manila Wine’s best-rated wines categories and has been included in Vivino’s Wine Style Awards 2020.

Why buy this:

• Featured in Vivino’s 2020 Wine Style Awards: Spanish Priorat Red (2007 Vintage)
• One of the best-rated wines in Manila Wine
• 3 stars average wine rating based on 16155 reviews (Vivino)

3. Encomienda de Cervera Poker D Tempranillos

Good quality without the hefty price

Look no further than the Encomienda de Cervera Poker D Tempranillos if you’re looking for an award-winning red wine at a fair price. It has received awards such as the Silver Medal Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in 2012, the Silver Medal Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in 2010, and the Bacchus De Plata Concurso Internacional de Vinos Bacchus in 2010. In addition, according to Vivino, it is in the top 9% of all wines in the world in 2011! It certainly deserves to be recognized in terms of flavour, with a robust and delicious tongue feel and a big and bulky body. It also has a powerful aroma, with a combination of rich red berry fragrance, a hint of caramel, and the roast from the high quality of the oakwood. Overall, it’s a fantastic wine that offers a unique and delicate flavour without the hefty price tag.

Why buy this:

• Reasonably priced
• Award-winning wine
• Blended in perfect balance, blasting feelings, and flavours

4. Beringer Main & Vine Cabernet Sauvignon

Beringer’s California Collection Cabernet Sauvignon has jammy blackberry flavours that entice you from the first sip. Moreover, it’s flavour-profile is accessible; nothing too sophisticated, but delightful at the same time! The flavour is rich and homey, thanks also to vanilla and oak notes. It’s a wine that’s easy to drink, enjoyable, and appropriate for every occasion, from casual to extravagant and formal. The best part is that you can purchase a bottle of Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon for less than P500!

Why buy this:

• One of Shopee’s bestselling wines; 5-star rating
• Affordable
• Well-suited to any occasions

5. Saint Celine Natural Sweet Red Wine

Loved because of its light and mild, yet undeniably sweet taste, Saint Celine Natural Sweet Red Wine is one of the best you can try in the market. We like that has a rich and smooth finish that goes well with most tasty dishes. Perfect for any occasion, this bottled wine boasts of its sweet ripe blackcurrant and raspberry jam flavour. Adding more depth, this is also complemented by subtle clover spice undertones. Supple and velvety, each bottle is a true masterpiece because the grapes used are carefully selected and harvested to maintain their amazing quality. Moreover, this is great for dinners with loved ones or to impress a guest.

Why buy this:

• Rich and smooth finish
• With sweet ripe blackcurrant and raspberry jam flavour
• Perfect for any celebrations
• Light and mild

6. Marques De Riscal Proximo

The Marques de Riscal Proximo Tempranillo Rioja is a fruit-forward wine with blackberry and ripe plum flavours, as well as notes of liquorice and spice. This vintage wine has a thick, syrupy, and sweetened mouthfeel that matches its fruity aroma. If you enjoy Cabernet Merlot mixes, you’ll love this wine.  Although Rioja red wines are highly prized, Spanish wines, in general, offer great bang for the buck, so you can enjoy this high-quality bottle without breaking the bank!

Why buy this:

• Great value for money
• Popular on Vivino with more than 14,700 ratings

7. Matsu El Picaro

With a remarkable purple colour, Matsu El Picaro is known for its intense first impression but an impressive later sweet and pleasant taste. We also like its sweet aroma that denotes mixed fruits, jelly beans, and blackberry jam. This is surprisingly complemented by a bit of liquorice, giving it a little character and complexity. Furthermore, each bottle is ideal for gifts because it never disappoints. Novice and expert wine enthusiasts would surely appreciate this dynamic wine. A true value for money, this bottle of wine is a good addition to every cellar for casual drinks over tasty meals or for celebrations.

Why buy this:

• Intense mouth but with a sweet and pleasant taste
• Sweet aroma with a bit of liquorice for complexity
• Perfect for gifting or celebrations
• With remarkable purple colour

8. Cuesta Del Madero Cabernet Sauvignon

Good for parties

A good party wine, Cuesta Del Madero Cabernet Sauvignon brings us a dark ruby wine with a remarkable long and satisfying finish. This has 13.5% alcoholic content with the aroma of cherries and plums. Furthermore, this also includes red currant fruit with notes of green bell pepper, truffle, and casis notes. Bold and rich, this wine is best enjoyed with hearty grilled meats, strong cheeses, and other delights. Each bottle is also affordably priced for its complexity and impressive flavour profile.

Why buy this:

• Comes in a 750 ml bottle
• With 13.5% alcoholic content
• Complex flavour profile with red currant and notes of green bell pepper, truffle, and casis
• Perfect for hearty grilled meats, cheese, and others

9. Fortunella Vino Rosso Premium Sweet Red Wine

A product of Spain, Fortunella Vino Rosso Premium Sweet Red Wine impresses us with its lightly spritzed red berry flavour. It’s impressively refreshing which makes it perfect for casual romantic meals or a good pasta night. Light-bodied and smooth, this wine also has 10% alcohol content per volume. Moreover, taking this neat or iced cold sure gives you a different but remarkable and indulgent experience. Each bottle also makes an ideal gift to loved ones or colleagues you intend to impress.

Why buy this:

• Sparkling wine with red berry flavour
• Sweet and light-bodied
• With 10% alcohol content per volume
• Best served with ice or just neat

10. Novellino Rosso Classico Red Wine

Tailor fit for the Filipino palate

The truth is that Filipinos aren’t wine drinkers, most likely due to their harsh flavour.  In this context, Novellino meets the Filipino palate by being either sweet, fizzy, or having a low alcohol content. That’s why if there’s one red wine brand that many Filipinos recognize, it’s Novellino Wines. The Novellino Rosso Classico is a softly fermented red wine that is delicate and subtle. It also has a sweet flavour and an exquisite finish. Ultimately, it’s the brand’s best-seller, with only 4.5 per cent alcohol, and it’s ideal for any time, meal, or event!

Why buy this:

• One of the most popular red wine brands in the Philippines
• Most affordable
• Delightfully sweet character

We hope that our guide on the 10 Best Red Wines in the Philippines has helped you to buy the best red wine for your holiday needs. Please share this with your family and friends if you have found it useful.

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