When the summer heat sets in, red wine is typically forgotten for the season, as lighter varieties are pushed to the front of displays in wine stores and to the top of wine lists. There are some red wines, however, that are practically created for warmer weather, like a fruity Frappato from Sicily or a bright Beaujolais Gamay out of France.
Whether you’re searching for a last minute bottle, or bottles, of wine for your Fourth of July festivities this weekend, looking to switch up your summer sips, or simply curious to try a red wine that benefits from a little time on ice, look no further than the list below. Here are seven chillable red wines perfect for a hot summer’s day or balmy summer’s eve.
Summer Water 'Keep It Chill' Beaujolais Gamay
According to Jason Percival, sommelier and beverage director at Himmel Hospitality Group in Boston, Mass., chillable reds deserve a place “right next to the case of High Life or watermelon seltzers” at backyard grill parties this summer. He recommends a Beaujolais from Domaine Louis Claude Desvignes Morgon Javernières Les Impénitents for a fruity, refreshing summer sip that pairs impeccably with light seafood.
Another vibrant representation of Beaujolais is Summer Water’s light-bodied French Beaujolais Gamay, appropriately named Keep It Chill. The easy-drinking red wine offers brambly notes that taste better at cooler temperatures–like raspberry, cranberry and dark plum. Summer Water suggests serving this chilled red with a charcuterie board, “heavy on cheese,” to seamlessly elevate a summer evening.
Along the southeastern coast of Sicily, Frappato is widely served with a little condensation on the bottle during leisurely lunches in the sunshine. Third-generation winemaker Dino Taschetta embraces the traditional style of the berry-forward variety with w/o Frappato, while simultaneously shifting toward sustainable practices, producing his Frappato with organic grapes and bottling in eco-friendly packaging, from sustainable corks to recycled glass. The way the chill softens the intense berries is particularly tasty when paired with carbs, cheese and tomato sauce, but there’s no limit to what this versatile variety can complement.
For André Hueston Mack, owner and winemaker of Maison Noir Wines and Sommelier-at-Large of & Sons Hospitality Group, the flavors of white flowers, white pepper and raspberry cooler found in Maloof "Wax On, Wax Soif" Applegate Valley Red 2021 “come alive with a slight dunk in the ice bucket.” The predominately syrah co-ferment with 15 percent viognier from Oregon is sure to leave a lasting impression, so be sure to pick up a few bottles.
Produced from the fruit of 60-year-old vines, Maison l’Envoye Moulin-a-Vent Gamay Noir offers more texture and a peak of tannins through its refreshingly light blackberry notes. While some chilled reds can get away with a few minutes in the fridge, or even a pre-chilled glass, this is one you may want to store in the fridge and take out just before serving for the best showing of fruit.
This light Italian red wine is balanced in red fruits and a satiny smoothness that doesn’t need an extended period of time in the fridge before it’s ready to be enjoyed. The offering from Leonardo Bussoletti 'Brecciaro' Ciliegiolo di Narni IGT pairs particularly well with poultry, like a simple seasoned chicken on the barbeque or duck lettuce wraps.
On the fringe of a low-alcohol wine at 12.5 percent ABV, this Austrian Zweigelt is an ideal wine to start with on a summer afternoon that is set to melt into the evening and beyond. Raspberry notes combine with a unique black pepper finish that is more noticeable with every sip. Enjoy on its own or as you’re firing up the grill to sear up some steak.