Kir-Yianni Paranga Red 2019 Macedonia, Greece 75cl

Kir-Yianni, founded by Yiannis Boutaris, has done much to put northern Greece on the map for quality red wine. Alongside its serious single-vineyard bottlings, the estate makes a range of more relaxed, everyday wines, and Paranga is its approachable red, named after the makeshift shelters once used by farmers out in the fields.

Paranga is a blend of the indigenous Xinomavro with international Merlot and Syrah. The idea is to keep the savoury, food-friendly backbone of the local grape while adding the soft, fruity generosity of the two better-known varieties, giving a red that is easy to enjoy without losing its Macedonian character. It is a clever, modern take that makes Greek wine feel familiar to newcomers.

The 2019 leans into that friendly style, offering ripe fruit and supple texture for drinking now rather than cellaring, a wine made to be opened young and often.

Expect bright red cherry and berry fruit, a lift of pepper and gentle spice, and soft, light tannins that make it very easy to drink. Serve it lightly chilled in warm weather, and pour it with pizza, pasta, grilled vegetables, burgers or a midweek roast. It is a genuinely versatile all-rounder for the table.

If you like an unfussy, fruit-forward red with a bit of individuality, Paranga is a low-risk introduction to Greek wine and a reliable house-red choice. For anyone curious about Xinomavro but not yet ready for its firmer, old-vine expressions, this softer blend is the perfect place to start. It is also honest value, the kind of bottle you can open on any night of the week without a second thought.