The Best European Red Wines

Most wine makers (and lovers) believe Europe produces the world’s best red wines—and I’m not one to disagree.

Over the years, Zlatan Plenkovic’s Grand Select Plavac Mali (Croatian) and Domaine de la Solitude’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape (French) have not only become my favorite reds, but my all-time favorite wines.

And that’s just the start. While bottles of bordeaux, burgundy, barolo, and primitivo tend to form the backbone of most high-end wine lists, there is a sweeping supply of brilliant reds across Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and more.

So, without further ado, here is our pick of the very best European red wines to gift your loved one this Mother’s Day:

Clarendelle Bordeaux Rouge 2016

The velvet-smooth Clarendelle Bordeaux 2016 boasts a delightful balance of dark red fruits—particularly ripe cherries and plums—with the tannic power of a great vintages. More affordably than you’d expect for the quality, too. To release the spice and smoke, aerate for at least 30 minutes.

Pasqua Mai Dire Mai Amarone Della Valpolicella

Pasqua’s approach to winemaking is one of familial passion, spanning three generations, that is best represented in their truly juicy ‘Mai Dire Mai’ (translation: Never Say Never). Both intense and fresh, rich and refined, the blend is nothing short of an oaky, fruity dream.

Altano Rewilding Edition Douro Red

As a classic Douro blend, this is an affordable and easy drinker. It is an exceptionally fruity blend, boasting notes of blackberries, mulberries and cherries, with just enough spice and acidity to balance things out. As a bonus, every sale of Altano Rewilding Edition will contribute to Rewilding Portugal’s efforts to protect and restore natural landscapes in Portugal’s interior.

Faustino Gran Reserva Rioja

Bodegas Faustino’s flagship wine is complex on the nose, with heaps of ripe fruit and a a strong oak presence. On the mouth, it has a delightful clarity with a slightly herbal finish. Those fig, raisin and plum notes really sing after an hour or two of aeration.

Matuško Dingač 2017

A gorgeous introduction to Croatin red wines, this full-bodied Dingač is matured in oak barrels that take its unique flavor profile to the richest of heights. In addition to emphasized floral aromas that are characteristic for Matuško, wild strawberries, blackcurrants and vanilla reign supreme.

All wines are available online in the US and UK.