8 Wines Better Than 19 Crimes Red Wine
Why Look Beyond 19 Crimes Red Wine?
19 Crimes Red Wine may be a crowd-pleaser with its bold branding and sweet, easy-drinking style, but in a wine comparison it often falls short on complexity and finesse. Many wine lovers find that this Australian red blend leans toward the sweeter side with a one-dimensional jammy flavor.
If you’re craving a better wine experience – one with richer taste, higher quality, and similar affordability – it’s worth exploring alternatives. The good news is there are plenty of premium wine options in the same price range (or less) that deliver more depth, authenticity, and value. Below, we highlight eight red wines that outshine 19 Crimes Red Wine, offering robust flavor and better value without breaking the bank.
8 Best Red Wine Alternatives to 19 Crimes Red Wine
1. Porta 6 Tinto (Lisboa, Portugal) – Easy-Drinking Crowd Favorite
Why it’s better: Porta 6 Tinto is a wildly popular Portuguese red blend that offers smooth, ripe flavors at a fantastic price. It’s light- to medium-bodied with soft tannins and bursting with red berry notes (plum, cherry, and wild berries). This wine is incredibly easy-drinking, making it perfect for casual dinners or relaxing with friends.
Wine lovers often prefer Porta 6 Tinto over 19 Crimes because it delivers authentic regional character (a blend of native grapes like Aragonez and Touriga Nacional) without excessive sweetness. At under €5, it’s about half the price of 19 Crimes Red, yet it consistently over-delivers on taste and quality – a true steal for value seekers. (Internal link: Find Porta 6 Tinto here.)
2. Porta 6 Reserva (Lisboa, Portugal) – Richer, Bolder Upgrade
Why it’s better: If you enjoy Porta 6 Tinto, the Porta 6 Reserva takes it up a notch. This Reserva is a fuller-bodied, premium wine version from the same winery (Vidigal) in Lisbon. It shows a dark ruby color and intense aromas of wild blackberries, baking spices, and a hint of chocolate from oak aging.
On the palate it’s luscious and jammy, with flavors of black cherry jam and dark plum, wrapped in ripe tannins for a more structured finish. With 14% ABV and a blend including Syrah and Cabernet, Porta 6 Reserva is smooth yet robust – providing the depth and long finish that 19 Crimes lacks. Despite its richer profile, it remains an excellent value (often around €7–€8 on sale). For fans of 19 Crimes Red who want a better wine with more complexity, Porta 6 Reserva is a satisfying step up. (Find Porta 6 Reserva here.)
3. Ticket Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon (Pays d’Oc, France) – French Blend Bargain
Why it’s better: This French red blend proves you can get a premium wine feel on a budget. The Ticket Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon (2022) offers remarkable depth for around €5. It greets you with an inviting bouquet of dark cherry and blackberry, along with hints of mocha and cedar – flavors that feel more sophisticated than the straightforward sweetness of 19 Crimes.
The Merlot brings velvety plum notes while the Cabernet adds structure and a touch of spice. The result is a surprisingly layered and smooth red wine that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or stews. In a wine comparison, Ticket’s blend comes off as more refined and balanced, with a dry finish and moderate tannins (whereas 19 Crimes can taste sweeter). For wine lovers seeking better value, this French gem is hard to beat. (Find it here.)
4. Sunny Farm Primitivo (Puglia, Italy) – Big, Bold Zinfandel-Style Red
Why it’s better: Love the bold fruit of 19 Crimes Red? Sunny Farm Primitivo delivers that plush, jammy character with extra authenticity. Primitivo (the Italian twin of Zinfandel) from sun-drenched Puglia bursts with ripe black cherry, raspberry, and blueberry jam notes, plus sweet baking spices on the nose.
It’s full-bodied and velvety, with mild tannins and a smooth finish – a profile quite similar to 19 Crimes, but with a more natural richness (and organic production credentials to boot). Many wine lovers in Ireland have made this their go-to barbecue wine because it’s both crowd-pleasing and better structured than 19 Crimes.
Despite its bold flavor, Sunny Farm Primitivo is a dry wine with enough acidity to stay food-friendly. Priced under €7, it offers better value and a more satisfying, “true to its roots” experience for fans of big Aussie blends. (Find Sunny Farm Primitivo here.)
5. Antaño Rioja Tempranillo (Rioja, Spain) – Classic Spanish Quality
Why it’s better: Antaño Rioja Red is a Spanish Tempranillo that brings old-world pedigree to the table at just €5.99. This better wine alternative comes from the famed Rioja region, known for its high standards. In the glass, it shows a deep ruby color and releases clean aromas of wild red berries, cherry, and a whisper of vanilla from a touch of oak aging.
On the palate, Antaño is medium-bodied and packed with juicy red fruit, yet it also offers structure and silky tannins for a dry, elegant finish. In contrast, 19 Crimes Red tends to be sweeter and less nuanced. Antaño Rioja tastes like a much more expensive wine – it’s balanced, with a hint of spice and earth that adds complexity.
Whether paired with grilled lamb, tapas, or enjoyed on its own, this Spanish classic delivers a premium wine experience for a bargain price. It’s a clear upgrade in authenticity and refinement over 19 Crimes. (Find Antaño Rioja here.)
6. Pata Negra Apasionado (Jumilla, Spain) – Bold Monastrell with Depth
Why it’s better: Fans of the dark, bold character of 19 Crimes will love Pata Negra Apasionado Red, which is crafted from Monastrell grapes in Jumilla. This Spanish red captivates with intense aromas of roasted coffee, plum preserve, and black fruits – signaling a richness beyond the simple vanilla sweetness of 19 Crimes. Full-bodied and smooth on the palate, Pata Negra Apasionado offers a feeling of fullness with soft, round tannins and a very expressive, long finish.
There’s a depth here (notes of espresso, spice, and dark berry) that makes each sip more interesting. At about €8.95, it’s slightly pricier than some others on this list but still a great deal for the quality delivered (and still in the range of 19 Crimes’ price).
In a direct wine comparison, this bottle’s complexity and lingering finish make 19 Crimes taste one-note. For those ready to graduate to a richer, better wine without losing that smooth New World style, Pata Negra is an excellent choice. (Discover Pata Negra Apasionado here.)
7. Beyra Red (Beira Interior, Portugal) – Elegant Terroir-Driven Red
Why it’s better: Beyra Red is proof that you can enjoy an elegant, premium wine without paying a premium price. Hailing from high-altitude vineyards in Portugal’s Beira Interior, Beyra blends Tempranillo (Tinta Roriz) and Touriga Nacional to create a refined red that wine enthusiasts adore. It offers fragrant red fruit aromas (wild berries, cherry) laced with a distinctive minerality from the granite-rich soils.
On the palate, Beyra is fresh, balanced, and medium-bodied, with smooth tannins and subtle spice notes. The finish is impressively long and polished – characteristics you’d expect from a much more expensive wine. In fact, recent vintages of Beyra Reserva have scored around 90 points in Wine Enthusiast, highlighting its quality.
Priced around €6–€7, Beyra delivers better value than 19 Crimes Red while providing a more sophisticated flavor profile (drier, with layered complexity). It’s perfect for those who want to taste a sense of place and craftsmanship in their red wine. (Find Beyra Red here.)
8. Monte Velho Tinto (Alentejo, Portugal) – Authentic Portuguese Value
Why it’s better: Monte Velho Tinto is a beloved Portuguese red from the Alentejo region, known for robust yet smooth wines. Produced by the respected Herdade do Esporão winery, this red blend (Aragonez, Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional and more) offers a great balance of rich fruit and structure.
You’ll taste ripe berry and plum flavors complemented by hints of spice and herbal notes typical of Alentejo’s terroir. It’s medium- to full-bodied with a solid structure and grainy tannins that give it a satisfying backbone – all wrapped in a fresh, silky texture. Monte Velho’s flavor depth and dry finish stand in contrast to the sugary simplicity of 19 Crimes.
Despite its high quality, it remains very affordable (around €5–€6). For wine lovers seeking an alternative to 19 Crimes Red that delivers genuine regional character and complexity, Monte Velho is an excellent choice. It’s an everyday better wine that locals in Portugal drink with pride, and it’s sure to elevate your weeknight dinner or BBQ. (Find Monte Velho here.)
FAQ: 19 Crimes Red Wine Alternatives
Q1: What are some wines better than 19 Crimes Red Wine?
A: There are several red wines that many consider better than 19 Crimes Red Wine in terms of taste and quality. For example, Porta 6 Tinto from Portugal is often praised for its smooth, fruity profile and great value, making it a top alternative. Spanish reds like Antaño Rioja (a Tempranillo from Rioja) or Pata Negra Apasionado (a Monastrell from Jumilla) offer more complexity and a drier finish compared to 19 Crimes’ sweet style.
Other notable mentions include Sunny Farm Primitivo (Italy) for a bolder jammy flavor, and Beyra Red (Portugal) which delivers an elegant, refined taste at a similar price. All these wines have richer flavor profiles, higher ratings, or better value, making them excellent alternatives to 19 Crimes Red Wine.
Q2: Is 19 Crimes Red Wine a sweet wine or a dry wine?
A: 19 Crimes Red Wine is generally considered a semi-sweet, very fruit-forward red. It’s a red blend from Australia known for its jammy blackberry and vanilla flavors, which come off as quite sweet on the palate.
Technically, it is not a dessert wine, but it does have a noticeable residual sugar content that makes it taste sweeter than a typical dry red wine. Many casual drinkers enjoy its smooth, sweet finish and bold flavor, but it lacks the dry tannic structure that premium wine lovers might expect in a classic dry red (like a traditional Cabernet or Tempranillo).
If you prefer a truly dry red wine, you might find 19 Crimes a bit too sweet. In that case, exploring the drier alternatives mentioned above – for instance, a Rioja or a Portuguese blend – will provide a more balanced, less sugary experience.
Q3: Which red wines offer better value than 19 Crimes Red Wine?
A: Several wines offer better value for money than 19 Crimes. One standout is Porta 6 Tinto – it often costs around half the price of 19 Crimes Red Wine, yet it delivers excellent flavor and has become a favorite everyday wine for many.
Monte Velho Tinto from Portugal is another high-value pick, providing authentic regional quality at a budget price (under €6). If you’re looking for quality on a budget, Antaño Rioja (about €6) gives you a taste of Spain’s renowned Rioja region for roughly the same cost as 19 Crimes, but with more complexity.
Beyra Red (around €7) is a critically acclaimed Portuguese wine that has even received 90-point “Best Buy” ratings, highlighting its exceptional value. In summary, these alternatives are all affordable (mostly under €10) and offer more nuanced, higher-quality wine experiences – proving you can get a better wine for the same or less money than 19 Crimes Red Wine.
