What would be a decent generic red wine to take to a dinner party?

[WitBeyondMeasure]

I don't drink red wine and know nothing about it, however I know the hosts prefer red wine to white and rose.
I'd like to take a decent bottle along. Any tips on what type is usually nice? Or a point in the right direction of a country would be fab!

I'd take a merlot

South-eastern Australian Shiraz

It’s preference really. I really enjoy a Malbec and I’d say it’s heading to be the in trend red wine, like Sauvignon blanc is currently for white.

This is nice www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/villa-blanche-pinot-noir-french-red-wine/463343-348531-348532

If you want to splash a bit more cash go for a Malborough (Australia) Pinot Noir

Merlot, Amarone or Valpolicella would make the red wine lover in our family happy. Around or over £10 makes a difference.

Thank you. At least now I have something to find in the shops other than the expanse of dark bottles!

Vanelle, where are you buying Valpolicella from these days? I love it but it’s so hard to find at the moment.

New ZEaland, doh! Not Australia!

I agree a Pinot noir from Marlborough, New Zealand...

As Vanilla says, it's very much down to personal preference really. I find Australian Shiraz far too heavy and prefer a French Fleurie or Bordeaux (claret). It also depends on whether you will be drinking it with food or having it on its own.

Ragwort DH gets a decent Valpolicella from Tesco (Finest, "in partnership with Cantina Valpantena"), big label says 'Valpolicella Ripasso', black label with red and white words.

Malbec or a good Rioja. Not Shiraz. Too sweet / clunky for many red wine fans.

I like a South African Pinotage.

Or Rioja.

If the host prefer red to white or rose then they aren't that much into wine, real wine buffs like all kinds of wine, preferably the weirder the better. Or expensive classic regions but TBH I'd rather get an interesting Fitou than a generic Bordeaux for the same price.

But you don't get 'bad' wines the way you use to before stainless steel came to dominate in the new world, depending on your budget the worst you could do would be a fruity but boring Merlot that will end up in a casserole if they really like wine.

Shiraz catches the back of my throat. Anyone else, or is it just me?

Californian Zinfandel every time.

Malbec, Chateauneuf du pape or a barbera

i would go with merlot not too sweet not too dry and has a blackcurrant undertone

Malbec .. Tesco finest do one £6.50 and its lovely

Santa Julia Malbec. Under £10 but tastes great!

Rioja is really nice

Montepulciano, Cahors, Chianti Classico DOCG, Crozes-Hermitage, and so forth.

This us great for £8

I really enjoy a Malbec. Not a fan of Rioja but I may just have had bad ones.

My favourite from Waitrose