With so many health benefits to red wine, it makes sense to enjoy them throughout the year. When the mercury climbs above 30 degrees, you may be tempted to reach for a light rose or white wine, but a true lover of pinot noir, merlot or fine cabernet sauvignon will stay true to their love and passion of all things red. They know that just because it’s getting warmer outside, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the wine you love!

Patios, trips to the beach, and barbeques can all be enhanced with a nice refreshing glass of red wine. As the cooler winter weather becomes a thing of the past as we welcome and the coming warmer temperatures, we explore the best red wines to enjoy as well as the best way to serve them in the summer.

How to Enjoy Red Wine in the Summertime

Served Chilled – While not conventional, many dedicated red wine lovers have found that chilling their red wine is a great way to enjoy it. When served warm, a red wine can seem rich and heavy and overly powerful. Chilling your red to “cellar temperature” will make it taste bright and refreshing and enhance the experience. Light-bodied reds are best served at around 10 or 12 degrees and while medium bodied wine are served best at 14 degrees.

If you not keen to chill your red wine, here are a couple of suggestions to keep in mind when you’re looking for a good red to enjoy.

Choose Lighter Bodied Reds – For real summer enjoyment, try to avoid full-bodied and heavily oaked wines. Light or unoaked reds provide a more light and fruity taste and are easier to palate in the summer heat.

Consider Lower Tannin Wine – Tannin is a compound in red wine that preserves it and gives structure. However, reds with higher levels of tannin tend to make your tongue dry out as well as leave your mouth with a dry sensation. In the heat of the summer, a lower tannic wine will be more preferred and refreshing.

Lower Alcohol Content – As the temperature rises, so does the way alcohol has an effect in our system. It’s important to keep in mind that it’s best to enjoy your red wine with a lesser alcohol content. Anything below 13% would be ideal. Wines with a lower viscosity and lighter body will typically have an ideal alcohol content.

The Best Red Wines to Choose

While your looking through your wine cellar or ordering wine online, try to look for these red wine varieties that typically include the characteristics of lighter-bodied reds with alcohol content and lower tannin levels.

In looking for the perfect bottle of red for the summer time, you cannot go wrong with a nice bottle of Pinot Noir. It is one of the more popular wide varieties of wine in the world as well as in the warmer weather due to it’s high aromatic levels, lighter body and low tannin content. Since it is so widely cultivated, there have been many different variations on the Pinot Noir.

Although this type of wine is typically higher priced, here is an example of a more affordable Pinot Noir.

Mandolin Vintners – Pinot Noir 2013
$22.40 / Bottle

From the vines of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA (American Viticultural Area) of Monterey County, this Mandolin Pinot Noir is a rich wine that features bright cherry and raspberry fruit with hints of spice, leather and cedar.Many other red wine varieties can range from higher to lower bodies. As long as you keep any eye out for the right characteristics of a perfect summer wine mentioned previously, you will come across gems such as this:

Domaine Saint Michel – Cotes du Rhone 2014
$16.10 / Bottle

This fresh, delicious and fruity classic vintage wine from Rhone is a terrific blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. Run by the Boyers in their Medieval fortified house in the Rhone valley. It contains soft tannins and ripe brambly fruit leaving you with a soft and creamy mouthfeel.

Summer Food Pairing Suggestions

The summer is best spent outside with great company, great food and a drink in your hand. Make sure to take a bottle of these following lighter-bodied reds outdoors as well as some of the wonderful summer dishes they pair so well with. Primarily you’ll want to serve these wines with lighter dishes like chicken and fish, as well as soft cheeses and green vegetables.

Domaine du Roncee – Chinon 2014
$22.30 / Bottle

With its lighter body, the Domaine du Roncee from France, is a tender and easy to drink Cabernet Franc. Food Pairing: It pairs exceptionally well with light fish options, cold roast chicken, and grilled veal chops.

Domaine Thenard – Givry Cellier aux Moines 2009
$36.35 / Bottle

From the Bourgogne region of France, the Cellier aux Moines is a Pinot Noir that has been dated back to as far as 1258. Food Pairing: Enjoy it’s history and it’s pairings with grilled chicken, salmon, and pork chops with mushrooms.

Domaine Prieur Brunet – Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2014
$25.75 / Bottle

With only a gentle use of oak, this light to medium bodied wine makes for a silky and fresh tasting experience. Food Pairing: It is even enjoyed more when served with beef and lamb dishes as well as assortments of fine cheeses.

Enjoy these exotic red wines from all over the world and many more this summer offered in The Small Winemakers Collection. If it’s too hot outside, you can easily have the best red wines from all over the world shipped right to your door with our wine delivery service! Always remember, no matter what the weather is calling for, red wine is always an option!