Best Chilled Red Wines for Al Fresco Dining

Picture the scene...

It’s a hot summer’s day and you’re looking for something refreshing to drink to pair with your barbecue or picnic lunch. A cold, crisp white wine or rosé perhaps? Or how about a glass of chilled fruity red wine instead?

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.

Why chill red wine?

First of all, chilled red wines are particularly appealing on a warm, sunny day. And they pair extremely well with lighter summer dishes – making them a great choice for al fresco dining. But it’s not just about summer drinking. Many red wines benefit from being served lightly chilled whatever the time of year – it helps bring out their fruity aromas and flavours as well as their juicy freshness.

Avoid big, tannic or long-aged red wines (probably not the best plan for that special bottle of Bordeaux you’ve been saving) and instead pick out young, fruit-forward, lighter-bodied red wines that will be even more refreshing with a light chill.

1. Bring on the Beaujolais

If there was ever a wine made for chilling, it's Beaujolais. Its bright, fruity and floral flavours come alive after a quick spell in the fridge. All Beaujolais reds are made from Gamay, a grape with relatively high acidity – and it’s this that makes it such a refreshing choice when served lightly chilled on a sunny day.

Pair with charcuterie and cheeses for the perfect picnic.

2. Cool Loire reds to drink when it’s hot

Loire red wines are tailor-made for summer drinking, with their crunchy red berry fruit and subtle floral and wild herb fragrance. There are three red grapes that take centre-stage in the Loire – Cabernet Franc, Gamay, and Pinot Noir – and all three have that vivacity and freshness that makes them a thirst-quenching choice when chilled on a summer’s day.

Seriously food-friendly too – enjoy with salmon, cold meats or herby lamb chops.

3. Fall in love with Frappato

There are lots of Italian red wines that are delicious lightly chilled – from Valpolicella and Bardolino to Dolcetto and Barbera. But our favourite Italian chilled red wine has to be Frappato. This native Sicilian grape is just so juicy and bright, it will transport you to sunny Sicily in a flash. Super-smooth and quaffable, it’s one to enjoy with summery pasta dishes and salads.

4. Chilled Cinsault

We couldn’t do a guide to chilled red wines without including Chilled Cinsault – a wine so suited to chilling we’ve even included the serving instructions on the label. This new addition to our South African list is crammed with summer berry flavours and gentle peppery spice. Soft and deliciously moreish, make this your next barbecue pick.

5. Celebrate with sparkling red wines

What to serve at your next family barbecue or Sunday brunch? Fresh, frothy and full of flavour, sparkling red wines offer the perfect solution. Top of the pops is L’Occhiolino from Italy, a red made for summer sipping with its lip-smacking fresh fruit and delicate bubbles. And at just 7.5% alcohol, it’s a lighter option for long, lazy afternoons in the garden