I have a divine preference for red wines when it comes to alcohol. Specifically, I prefer sweet reds. So today, I thought of sharing a list of my favourite sweet red wine for beginners. Now I’m not knocking a good bottle of white wine, (excluding Chardonnays, I find the taste to be quite awful), red wine is Bae (I can’t believe I used that word in public, haha!)
I’m not tipping the bottle every day or anything, but I do keep at least one bottle on deck in the refrigerator, especially now. Look, mama needs her wine down sessions, okay?
If you’re just getting into exploring reds, you know that red wine can be an acquired taste. While I do have a preference for red wines myself, my least favourite type of red wine is Cabernet Sauvignon as I don’t much care for dry wines. Nevertheless, I’ve tasted a few really good Cabernet Sauvignon’s that are worth the hype.
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Back to the sweet reds. You know I stay on a budget, so the wines on my list make it thereby being reasonably priced. They’re not in the higher end of expenses but not necessarily cheap either.
Yamana Sweet Red
Yamana Sweet Red wine had become one of my favourites over the years. For me, it’s that good, old faithful red wine that you can grab when you don’t have time to really peruse the wine rack at the store. It’s easily affordable and has a smooth, rich, fruity taste.

Carlo Rossi California Red

Definitely the most economic of the five listed here, Carlo Rossi’s California Red is a medium sweet, medium dry. This is a good wine to try if you are stuck on Sweet Red’s and want to try others and fit’s great as a go between-er for say, Sweet Reds to Merlots.
Barefoot Merlot
Barefoot is known for great taste and being inexpensive. It’s Merlot is no exception. It’s a touch on the side of drier wines, but not overbearingly so. That makes it a good choice for an introduction to Merlot.

Barefoot Sweet Red

I believe my very first taste of red wine as an ‘adult’ buying my own wine was the Barefoot Sweet Red. It was the first time I realized red wine could taste that good. Not hard on the pocket and easy on the palette. It’s so good.
Lamothe Parrot Mellow Reserve
Lamothe Parrot is BAE #2. Beautifully rich, fruity and great tasting sweet red wine. If you haven’t tried this one yet, you’re missing out and this would be ideal if you have never tried red wine before. Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate the Mellow Reserve in quite some time.
That said, the classic Red by the same brand, though not as rich in taste as the Mellow Reserve is also a great place to start getting to the palette used to red wine.
Yellow Tail’s Sweet Red Roo, Jammy Red Woo
When I first published this post on April 2, 2017, this wine was branded as Sweet Red Woo. Since then, at the time of this blogpost being republishing in 2021, it would appear it was rebranded and Jammy Red Woo.
This baby is my absolute number one! Everything that fuels my love for red wine is right here in this one. It’s sweet. fruity, vibrant and smooth. Let’s be honest, if you are planning a sexy night with your significant other, or seducing someone, THIS!
There you have it, folks! My personally recommended list of sweet red wine for beginners. that are tastebuds and pocket friendly.
What are some of your favourite red wines? Let me know in the comments.
Xo, Shandean
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This Re-published Post was Originally Published on April 2, 2017.
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5 COMMENTS
kemistkris
6 years agoLove, love, love. I for one don’t care too much for the Merlots. If you haven’t as yet try the Obikwa Red wine (I can’t remember which type it is) but the Trivento Sweet Malbec would probably be in this 5 for me.
Shandean™
6 years agoWill definitely try those!
Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle
2 years agoWhen I moved out on my own & began working in 2019, picking out wine in the supermarket became a monthly or fortnightly hobby. I had zero experience with wine at the time, but I’m glad to see 2 of my absolute favourites up there (the Carlo Rossi and the Lamothe Parrot). The Merlot was a bit much for me, haha.
Shandean Reid
2 years ago AUTHORBuying a comfortable home on Jamaica is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s why most people do prefer to build, but that means you have to do so in more rural places.
Thanks for reading and pointing out the typo! 🙏🏽