We know that thoughts of a typical summer (side-eye coronavirus) include sunshine, towels, grilling, and a refreshing glass of wine. What is probably not on the agenda is buying a bottle of red wine, and we’re here to encourage you to drink red wine ALL YEAR long. We promise that red wine deserves its day at the beach, let’s get ready to become total wine snobs!
First things first, red wine during the summer tastes best chilled. Obviously, not all red wines can be chilled; for example: cabernet sauvignon become metallic and bitter in taste, not exactly the taste we are going for. The best red wines to chill tend to be on the sweeter side and light in body.
We found that the best way to chill a bottle of red wine for poolside sipping was to throw it in a refrigerator, ice bucket or your Yeti and forget about it for about an hour. Okay, now that the basics are out of the way, let’s talk about the best red wines to serve chilled.
Summer Red Wines That Make Us Chill (literally)
PINOT NOIR
While you may be enjoying this year round at room temperature, chances are you haven’t tried this chilled, it is heavenly (now you know). We aren’t bougie; one of our favorite value wines is, Josh Cellars Pinot Noir, it’s bright flavor of ripe cherries with deep earthy flavors with oak, spice, and delicate texture. When chilled, it tastes like cherry and strawberries. We love to pair it with Umami turkey burgers. For special occasions we never stray far from, Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, it has a silky mouthfeel and tastes like cherry, raspberry and blackberry and smells incredible due to its floral and spice notes. This is a must try with grilled lamb lollipops or even a herb-crusted pork tenderloin.
LAMBRUSCO
If you have ever been to Bucca di Beppo, you will instantly remember their food AND their lambrusco. It is a sparkling red wine and it pairs perfectly with pizza. Going to a pool party? A must have is, Riunite Lambrusco, the ancient Romans nicknamed Labrusco, “Nectar of the Gods”…they weren’t far off, it pairs wonderfully with pasta too.
STELLA ROSA
The Stella Rosa brand has taken off like wildfire these past few years, in part because they are served chilled and are semi-sweet, semi-sparkling and delicious! Try the Stella Rosa Red, it tastes like ripe raspberries, wild strawberries and plums, and pairs effortlessly from asiago cheese to strawberry shortcake (you can’t go wrong). Another red wine we love from this brand is, Stella Rosa Blueberry, it pairs great with BBQ chicken, cheesecake and even a charcuterie plate (you fancy).