Cool Reds - Summer isn't over yet!

There are plenty of red wines that you can drink slightly chilled, contrary to popular myth!

Some red wines, namely lighter-bodied reds with lower tannins, can really sing when given a bit of fridge treatment: a cooler serving can elevate the fruit flavours and tighten the overall structure. It also heightens the acidity in a wine, giving a fresh, more mouthwatering effect. The result is a tipple with all the expected complexity of a red wine, but with a more refreshing finish.

Focus on fresher styles with good primary fruit flavours. The best red wines to try chilled are light-to-medium bodied, with minimal oak influence such as Beaujolais, Gamay and Cabernet Franc. A pale colour can also be a good indicator, because it suggests lighter extraction in the cellar. You’ll want to avoid big, bold wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Barolo, as these are more suited to the decanter than the fridge.

In terms of temperature - there’s no need to go overboard, simply rest the bottle in the fridge for 30 - 45 minutes. Too cold and you’ll suppress all those wonderful wine aromas, but just right and you’ll heighten those flavours and tighten the structure.

We recommend

La Chaussée Rouge 2018 by La Grange aux Belles - Cabernet Franc, Grolleau

Esprit Détente Rouge 2018 by Landron-Chartier - Gamay

Ça Faye Treize 2017 by Les Goelands - Cabernet Franc


Cheers!

Ben & Al