Although the temperatures are increasing, this does not necessitate the use of rosé. Whatever the weather, red wines should still have a place at your table, whether it’s inside or out. Adding chilled red wine to your summer routine is the most refreshing approach to making it a part of your summer routine. However, not all red wines should be served chilled.
When you chill a full-bodied red wine with a lot of tannin and alcohol, it will taste astringent and metallic; similarly, chilling savory wines like Syrah with a lot of leathery, earthy, or spicy flavors will make them taste astringent and metallic; and chilling sparkling wines will make them taste astringent and metallic.
The finest red wines to serve chilled are naturally light in body, low in tannins (a chemical present in the seeds, stems, and skins of grapes that may cause your tongue to feel dry and prickly), and fruity in flavor, as described above.
It is through chilling reds like these that their lively characteristics are brought out, and the impression of alcohol is reduced. If you drink wine, you may get a warming feeling from the alcohol, which is not something we want when it’s hot outside!
What is the most effective method to cool a bottle of red wine for summer drinking? In an ice bucket or cooler, if possible. If you are unable to tuck the bottle into ice, just place it in your refrigerator for 45-60 minutes before you want to use it to avoid spoilage. Here are five red wines that taste well when served cold.
Pinot Noir
If you’re like most people, you already enjoy pinot noir year-round at room temperature, but it’s also delicious cold. Long Meadow Ranch Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 20166, our favorite special occasion bottle, is silky smooth with rich cherry notes, and drinking it chilled brings forth lovely rose petals’ fragrances.
Salmon and pinot noir go together like peanut butter and jelly, so try a bottle with our Grilled Salmon with Rye Panzanella. Look for great value in Chilean pinot noirs like Leyda Pinot Noir 2020, which are becoming more popular and won’t break the bank!
Sicilian Frappato
It is a wonderful, easy-drinking wine that is bursting with wild strawberry and red raspberry tastes and smells. It has an exceptionally smooth texture and a deliciously fruity flavor.
Choose from the Terre di Giurfo “Belsito” Frappato 2018 or the Il Frappato, Valle dell’Acate 2019 varieties. Summer is the perfect time to embrace the spirit of Italy by combining a cold glass of frappato with a plate of fresh summer pasta.
Lambrusco
For those who like sparkling red wine, there is such a thing as Lambrusco, which is produced in Italy’s Emilia Romagna area and is the most well-known and tasty of the kind (also home of prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano).
Cleto Chiarli Vecchia Modena Premium Cleto Chiarli Vecchia Modena Premium Cleto Chiarli Vecchia Modena Premium With brambly blackberry aromas and lots of fizz, Lambrusco di Sorbara is a refreshing summer wine.
Pizza and Lambrusco La Grasparossa, Zanasi go together like peanut butter and jelly. You may make one of our grilled pizza recipes if the warm weather has piqued your interest to fire up the grill.
Gamay
Gamay is best known as the grape that is used to make the French Beaujolais wine region’s signature red wine. Redberry, zesty cranberry and blood orange flavors distinguish this refreshing and delicious cocktail. It’s usually served cold (yes, the French do it!), and it’s perfect for summer.
We like the vibrant and refreshing Domaine Chignard Fleurie “Les Moriers’ which is made in the Loire Valley. It’s especially delicious when served with Grilled Pork and Pineapple Tacos. Consider the Marcel Lapierre Raisins Gaulois” Vin de France 2020 and Sheldrake Point Gamay Noir’ 2019) from New York’s Finger Lakes area, both of which are excellent bottle choices.
Grenache
Wines from the Grenache vine (Known as Garnacha in Spain) are delicious, medium-bodied wines with lovely red fruit aromatics. Grenache is a crop grown in the Mediterranean region.
In Italy, Cannonau di Sardegna “Le Bombarde” 2017 is packed with juicy plum notes, while Australia’s Yalumba Old Bush Vine Grenache 2018 is rich and concentrated while yet being delicate and smooth. Try it with grilled Mustard Turkey Burgers that have just come off the grill.
