Summer Reds Are for Chillin’

Let’s get one thing out of the way, there’s absolutely no right or wrong season to drink the wine you like. However, as temperatures go up, it’s likely you’ll want to reach for something with a little less heat to help cool you down.

This is the natural progression of wine drinking throughout the year: red wine during cooler weather to white and rosé over the summer. But what if you could have your red wine and drink it chilled, too?

In South Florida, we already consume our wines way too hot year-round. Most of us don’t have underground cellars to prepare perfect room temperature bottles before serving. Especially here in Miami, it’s always a nice idea to give any bottle a bit of a chill before enjoying it. Lighter red wines benefit from this cool down immensely! So, if you’re not quite ready to give up your reds, try a chilled, lighter version to get you started on summertime sipping.

Lighter Reds

When we talk about lighter reds, we’re mostly referring to style and body feel in the mouth. Certain grapes tend to be associated with lighter-bodied wines, but this is not always the case. Pinot noir, for example, can be light and nuanced, or heavier and juicier, depending on the region or winemaking style. Pinot noir from regions such as the Santa Lucia Highlands in California may feel like a heavier wine than pinot noir from Burgundy in France.

Nevertheless, it’s a great place to start when thinking about lighter red wines.

There are other red grapes to look for when you’re craving something fresh and fruity. Frappato from Sicily, gamay from the Beaujolais region of France, schiava from Alto Adige in Italy and mencía from Bierzo, Spain, are all good options. Even cabernet franc from the Loire Valley in France can fit this category.

Grenache from the South of France is a great lighter red, but the grape can also be made into a heavier style when blended with other grapes, like in Châteauneuf-du-Pape or in Priorat, Spain, where it is known as garnacha.

Côtes du Rhônes

Start in the Rhône valley with that beforementioned grenache. You’ll find that regional red Côtes du Rhône wines come in a variety of blends and styles and range from lighter bodied to heavier. Though, if you’re a fan of the general GSM blends (grenache, syrah, mourvèdre), Côtes du Rhône wines could very well be your summertime go-to reds.

Look for the M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône rouge 2020 at Total Wine for $15.99. This wine is mostly grenache with some cinsault and syrah. It’s fresh and easy to drink with ripe cherry notes, a touch of pepper and some of that herbal “garrigue” earthiness that is so indicative of Rhône Valley wines. Pair it with pork chops with a sweet BBQ rub, asparagus with garlic, and pasta lightly seasoned with black pepper.

Austrian Reds

Wines from Austria may not usually be top of your shopping list, but all the more reason to search for a juicy zweigelt to start your summer sipping. Zweigelt is a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent grapes, and it is Austria’s most-planted red variety.

It’s interesting to note that many Austrian wines come in 1-liter bottles, as the Berger Zweigelt 2021 does, giving you more wine for your enjoyment. This zweigelt is best served chilled so it can express that ripe cherry, raspberry and strawberry on the nose, and its bright, fresh, juicy fruit finish. The acidity is crisp and mouthwatering, and tannins are smooth. With all this juicy freshness in a 1-liter bottle for less than $18 at Mr. D Wine Merchant, it’s time to make zweigelt your next go-to summer red.

Pinot Noirs

And of course, pinot noir is a crowd-pleasing light red wine that is produced worldwide. For a lighter, elegant style of pinot, think cooler climate regions. In the U.S., places like Oregon and Anderson Valley, Calif., are known for cool climate-style pinot noir production.

Résonance Winery sits in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The winery was founded in 2013 by Maison Louis Jadot to establish its first winery outside of Burgundy. Résonance produces a Willamette Valley pinot that incorporates grapes from across vineyard sites in the valley and leans Burgundian in style. The wine delivers with cherry and floral aromas, a touch of forest mushroom, and a clean, mineral-driven red fruit finish. Perfect for summer nights on the patio. And you can enjoy a bottle of this quaffable wine for less than $35 at Total Wine.

From Anderson Valley in California, the “Jolie” 2020 from Maggy Hawk Winery is worth the splurge if you can get your hands on a bottle. This wine offers bright red fruit and silky tannins, along with refreshing acidity and a touch of baking spice. The finish is long, just like our summer nights. For $70, serious winos should consider inviting Jolie to their next summer soirée. But plan ahead, as Anderson Valley wines aren’t always easy to find and you might have to order this bottle from the winery.