Top 5 Chilled Reds to Drink this Summer

It feels like the UK is finally on board with cold red wine! For years this seemed like quite an alien concept to people but head to any part of Europe and it's very normal. In my opinion, only wine with very little tannin should be served cold (to avoid a chewiness) but even full bodied reds are better served just below room temperature. Another point of debate is around the difference between a dark rosé and a light red. For me, there is no difference. These wines can be made in variety of ways such as giving red grapes a sort maceration, blending red and white juice together or through more creative methods (as you'll see below) but in the end we are simply discussing the colour of the wine. 

Here are my top 5 redish wines to drink chilled this Summer. Just remember to not have them too cold or you'll miss out of some of those delicious flavours. I recommend taking out the fridge 30 minutes before drinking. Here we go;

5. VERMELL 2024 by CAP DE NIT

If you are looking for a bargain, let's head down to the Mediterranean coast of Valencia. Always a lovely wine made from the local red variety Giro, the 2024 vintage of Vermell  treats us with the addition of Muscat, bringing a whole new dimension of tropical fruit and floral aromatics to the proceedings. Unbeatable value as usual from the Cap de Nit guys.

4. UNE ROSE DE BLANCS 2023 by BODEGA LA SENDA

Now to Bierzo in the north of Spain for a wine that started life as a happy accident. The white Doña Blanca juice was added to a barrel that had just been emptied of red Mencia juice. This resulted in a quite wonderful combination! The 2023 vintage is the best yet in my opinion, showing perfumed notes and a touch of sichuan pepper alongside all that juicy red fruit. 

3. SERRAGGHIA FANINO 2022 by GABRIO BINI

If money is no object, look no further than this iconic bottle from the remote island of Pantelleria. Gabrio Bini is a name that generates much hype in the upper echelons of expensive wine collectors but sometimes the reputation is deserved. A combination of red and white juice results in a wild and textured wine with a striking, electric red colour in the glass. Apricot, pink grapefruit, blood orange, spice, minerals, the lot!

2. ECLIPSE 2023 by THIERRY DIAZ

Now to the south of France to the picturesque Mediterranean village of Bayuls. I love this cuvée from Thierry that utilises Syrah and Grenache Gris grapes. An abundance of candied fruit and fresh acidity is a match made in heaven. Another under-the-radar wine that people should really be celebrating!

1. COQUETTE 2023 by JEAN-PIERRE RIETSCH

Now for my number one pick! Regular readers will know of our love for Jean-Pierre Rietsch so maybe no surprises here. The Alsatian legend has created a beautiful wine that combines Pinot Noir, Riesling and Gewurztraminer. Three of my favourite varieties, what a treat! Aromatic and spicy notes with lashes of juicy red fruit and a citrus twist. It really doesn't get much better. I handed a friend a glass at a BBQ last weekend and he immediately announced it was in the top 5 wines he had ever tried! I'll leave you on that...

For the full collection of Chilled Red, click here

Happy Drinking!