Picture the scene...
Picture the scene. The sun’s out, the barbecue’s sizzling and everyone’s reaching for something cold. Crisp white? Rosé? Both excellent choices. But there’s another contender that deserves a spot in your ice bucket: chilled red wine.
Yes, you absolutely can serve red wine lightly chilled. It’s a growing trend here in the UK, but chilled red wines have always been a part of the French drinking culture. In fact, holiday anywhere in the Med and you’ll know it’s not at all unusual for your red wine to be served straight from the fridge. Here are our top tips on the best chilled red wines for summer.
Can I chill red wine?
Yes, you absolutely can chill red wine.
In fact, across France and much of the Mediterranean, lightly chilled reds are part of everyday life. Order a glass of red wine on a warm afternoon and there’s a fair chance it’ll arrive cool from the fridge. Sensible, really.
Not every red wine is cut out for the cold, mind you. Leave your treasured old Bordeaux alone. But if you’re a fan of light, juicy reds, they positively love a chill.
At what temperature should you chill red wine?
The sweet spot for most chilled reds wines is between 10-15°C.
That’s cool enough to refresh, but not so cold that you lose all those lovely fruit flavours and aromas.
As for how to chill your bottle of red, the easiest method is to pop it in the fridge for around 20-30 minutes before serving. If you're outdoors, an ice bucket will keep it at the perfect temperature without leaving it baking in the sunshine.
You're looking for lightly chilled, not ice cold.
You can find out more in our Wine Temperature Serving Guide, but don’t be afraid to experiment with your favourite red wines. Wine isn’t a rulebook. Even a fuller-bodied style can benefit from a quick blast in the fridge on a hot day.
After all, the best way to enjoy wine has always been the same … however you like it.
