Three red wines you’ve never heard of ... until now

We may reach for a bottle of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon or pinot noir during the cooler months, but why not add these lesser-known varieties into the mix.

Drink outside your comfort zone with these three lesser heard of red wines.

Level up your dinner party game by bringing a bottle of these three lesser heard of red wine styles.

Tell me more about Zinfandel, Petit Verdot and Durif?

Zinfandel is fruit-forward, bold red grape variety that’s popular in America. Called primitivo in Italy, the ballsy red has assertive tannins and is best paired with barbecue and smoked meats.

Petit verdot is more commonly used as a blending grape, especially in Bordeaux, France, and rarely seen as a single varietal. It thrives in warm climates.

Durif, or petite syrah, originated in the Rhone Valley, France. It’s the love child of little-known peloursin and shiraz. The deep purple, almost black coloured wine, shows promise in hot regions, and was first planted in Australia in Rutherglen by viticulturalist Francois de Castella.

2021 Campbells of Rutherglen shiraz durif.

Under $25

2021 CAMPBELLS OF RUTHERGLEN SHIRAZ DURIF: $19.80

The offspring of shiraz and French grape peloursin, Ruthernglen icon winery Campbell’s blends durif and shiraz for this bold and ballsy wine. Flush with aromas of violets, blueberries, vanilla, spice and grunty black pepper, it follows through with ripe black and red plums, hits of vanilla and niggly tiny tannins. An easy sipper guaranteed to warm the bones.

campbellswines.com.au

2020 Ranahan’s 'The Paths' petit verdot.

$25-40

2020 RANAHAN’S THE PATHS PETIT VERDOT: $38

This Pyrenees number drinks nothing like its name. Petit verdot, a Bordeaux native, is French for ‘little green one’ for its late ripening qualities. A full, cabernet style wine with a pretty perfume of cooked plum jam, dry soil, espresso and vanilla. Red brick edges in the glass hint at age. Blackberries, bitter plum skin and dried herbs are softened by vanilla. Prevalent chalky tannins. Will go the drinking distance now or with age.

Purvis Cellars, IGA

2017 Lowe Zinfandel.

$40 and over

2017 LOWE ZINFANDEL MUDGEE: $120

America’s red grape sweetheart drinks like tempered milk chocolate. Thick, satin-smooth and full flavoured. Ageing gracefully with aromas of prunes, cooked jam and marzipan. Grown under the hot Mudgee skies, the high-booze is well integrated and settles with time in bottle. Expect cranberries, red plums and olive tapenade on the palate. Worth holding on to for best results, though drinks a treat now.

Cellar door, lowefamilywineco.com.au