Here’s a refreshing trend: a bunch of light to medium-bodied red wines you can serve chilled.
A taste sensation, fabulous red wine served lightly chilled. I am talking about 30 to 40 minutes in the fridge, not ice cold, served between 12 and 16 degrees. After all, most of us drink red wines far too warm anyway, so these chillable reds make perfect sense when it’s humid and sunny. If chilled red is new to you, or you’re a red wine lover, summer is the season to serve it cold. Read on to see wine writer Joelle Thomson’s chilled choices.
Chaffey Bros Not Your Grandma's Chillable Red, $25.
This new wave of fabulous Australian red wine is made from Grenache and Mourvedre grapes that are lightly pressed to create this bright ruby-coloured red. This 2021 red is ideal served on a balmy night with antipasto-styled food.
Dine with: The classic Kiwi barbecue.
Graze with: slivers of cured meat or green olives
Rating: 18.5/20
Chermette Beaujolais Les Griottes, $30.
Les Griottes is a light-bodied, beautiful Beaujolais - think dry, fresh, and fruity. Rosé wine lovers, this wine will appeal to you. Made predominantly from the Gamay grape with juicy acidity and red cherry flavours. This 2022 wine is a gorgeous summer option that must be lightly chilled.
Dine with: a roasted vegetable salad with aioli
Graze with: smoked mushrooms or feta and sourdough crackers
Rating: 18/20
Joseph Drouhin Fleurie Beaujolais, $41.
Flowery by name and nature, it’s a beautiful floral, dry-tasting red wine from the Beaujolais region in France. It’s soft, plush, and so divinely complex for a red to drink lightly chilled. This exceptional 2020 wine is fit for any special moment.
Dine with: Duck salad of confit
Graze with: Finely sliced salami with crusty bread, or salty nuts
Rating: 19/20
At home with food stylist Fiona Hugues.