Livingston Burgundy 1.5L

Livingston Cellars Burgundy 1.5L is a dry, full-bodied California red table wine bottled at 13.5% ABV in a 1.5-liter format. Produced by E.&J. Gallo Winery in Modesto, California, this Burgundy-style blend built around Pinot Noir grapes has long been a staple of the American value wine category, delivering straightforward fruit character at an accessible price point.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Style: Burgundy-Style Red Blend  |  Producer: E.&J. Gallo Winery

Production & Heritage

E.&J. Gallo Winery, founded in 1933 by brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo, is the largest family-owned winery in the world, headquartered in Modesto, California. The Livingston Cellars line sits within Gallo's portfolio of everyday table wines, drawing from California-grown grapes. This Burgundy expression uses Pinot Noir as its primary varietal, vinified and blended in a style reminiscent of traditional French Burgundy — though labeled and classified as a California red blend rather than a varietal wine. The 1.5-liter bottle is designed for everyday drinking, offering twice the volume of a standard 750ml bottle.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark fruit leads the nose, with ripe black cherry and blackberry forming the core. Behind the fruit sits a subtle earthiness typical of Pinot Noir-based California reds.

Taste: The entry is soft and fruit-forward, with black cherry dominating the front palate. At mid-palate the wine fills out with a round, full-bodied texture and dry tannins that provide modest structure. Blackberry and a touch of plum emerge as the wine opens up, keeping the profile balanced and uncomplicated.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering dark fruit and a dry, clean close. There is little tannic grip on the exit, making it an easy-drinking red that doesn't demand extended contemplation.

How to Drink Livingston Burgundy

This wine drinks comfortably at a slight chill — around 60–65°F — poured into a standard red wine glass. Its fruit-forward, dry character also makes it a functional ingredient in simple wine-based drinks. A classic Sangria benefits from the bold cherry and berry notes, which hold up well against citrus and sweetener. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) pairs naturally with the wine's approachable, full-bodied fruit. For a warm-weather option, a Tinto de Verano — red wine with lemon soda — stretches the bottle further while keeping the berry flavors intact.

Best For

• Casual weeknight dinners where a dependable red is all that's needed
• Cooking applications such as red wine sauces, stews, and braises
• Large gatherings or parties where volume and value matter
• Batch cocktails like sangria for outdoor entertaining

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Livingston Burgundy taste like? Livingston Burgundy is a dry, full-bodied red wine dominated by black cherry and blackberry flavors with a clean, medium-length finish. It is well balanced and straightforward, designed for easy everyday drinking.

How does Livingston Burgundy compare to Carlo Rossi Burgundy? Both wines occupy the same California value-red category and come in large-format bottles, though Carlo Rossi Burgundy tends toward a slightly sweeter, lighter profile. Livingston Burgundy is generally perceived as drier and more full-bodied of the two.

Is Livingston Burgundy good for cooking? Its dry, fruit-forward character and affordable large-format bottle make it a practical choice for cooking — particularly in slow-cooked red sauces, beef stews, and wine-braised short ribs where the black cherry notes can develop richly.

Where is Livingston Burgundy made? Livingston Burgundy is produced by E.&J. Gallo Winery in Modesto, California, using California-grown grapes. Gallo, founded in 1933, is the largest family-owned winery in the United States.

What foods pair well with Livingston Burgundy? Grilled hamburgers work well thanks to the wine's dry tannins cutting through the richness of beef. Tomato-based pasta dishes complement the cherry fruit. Pizza with sausage or pepperoni echoes the wine's savory undertone. A simple charcuterie board with aged cheddar and salami matches the full-bodied profile. Roasted chicken thighs seasoned with herbs bridge the earthy quality of the Pinot Noir base.

What sizes does Livingston Burgundy come in? This expression is commonly available in the 1.5-liter format, which is equivalent to two standard 750ml bottles.

Is Livingston Burgundy worth the price? Livingston Burgundy positions squarely as an entry-level, high-volume California table wine, and it delivers exactly what that tier promises — dependable fruit, dry balance, and a generous pour count from the 1.5-liter bottle. For daily drinking and cooking, it represents solid value within its category.

Why Livingston Burgundy?

In the crowded field of large-format California reds, Livingston Burgundy distinguishes itself with a genuinely dry profile anchored by Pinot Noir — a grape more commonly associated with premium bottlings. The wine's full body and clean dark-fruit character set it apart from competitors that lean sweeter at the same price tier. Backed by the scale and consistency of E.&J. Gallo — a producer with over 90 years of California winemaking experience — the bottle delivers a reliable, no-surprises red. For anyone looking for an everyday table wine that pulls double duty in the kitchen and at the dinner table, the 1.5-liter format makes practical sense.