La Barbe Rouge

Grape: Merlot 

Origin: Pays d'Oc, France 

Credentials: Vegan

Style: Lighter

BRAMBLE/ANISE/CURRANT

Drinks like you’re smashing a blackberry tart while sticking your nose in a bag of liquorice allsorts — except you won’t look half as weird in front of your mates. La Barbe Rouge is a juicy little Merlot from the sun-drenched south of France, smooth enough to sip solo but cheeky enough to handle a plate of roast chicken or a messy mushroom risotto. It’s bright, bold, and just a bit playful — basically, your new weeknight wingman.

Paired with: Roast Herby Chicken, Mushroom risotto or a Moussaka.