Red Wine in the Summer. Breaking the taboo.
Summer. It’s here and it’s hot. Now, I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing better in the summer than a delicious glass of something chilled – al fresco of course.
You’ve conjured up and image in your head already, haven’t you? Is it a glass of white wine, drips of condensation running down the side? Perhaps it’s a gin and tonic, loaded with ice cubes and a perfect wedge of lime nestled on the top. Well, what if I were to throw something else in the mix? Namely, a delicious, thirst quenching glass of Red.
No, that isn’t a typo. Yes, I am suggesting that summer is in fact the perfect time to enjoy red wine without overheating. You see, there are a number of red wines out there that actually suit being served cool. Likewise, there are a number of reds that are as floral and fruity as many white wines we’d usually depend on.
Take Sangria as a prime example. You’d be hard pushed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy this holiday staple. It’s moreish, fruity and almost certainly served over a tonne if ice! Now you’re starting to come around to the idea, right?
So whether you’re a red wine lover who misses this tipple throughout the warmer months, a wine enthusiast looking to try some new things, or simply someone who enjoys the delicious fruity flavours of Sangria, I’m here to share with you a list of PERFECT red wines for the summer. Take one to your next barbecue and impress all the guests.
You can thank me later.
Find it at: Laithwaites
The heel of Italy’s ‘boot’, is the home of the Primitivo Grape, elsewhere known as Zinfandel (which you may recognise). This bottle derives specifically from Puglia, a particularly sun-drenched part of the region, which makes for a (believe it or not) very ‘sunny’ wine! Medium-bodied and full of red berry flavour, it has hints of prune and violet on the nose. This wine is perfect when enjoyed with your favourite tomato-based pasta dishes.
Find it at: Almost everywhere
Shiraz is widely known as a refreshing style of Red, and this easy going South Australian bottle is no exception. The intense sunlight makes this wine juicy & ripe, and, of course extremely jammy! Sweet aromas of cherries, blackberry and a little bit of spice on the finish make it easy drinking but with just a little bit of complexity to please everyone.
Find it at: Laithwaites
Cabalie is the pinnacle of winemaking for Laithwaites customers as the literal thousands of online reviews will show you. It's a luscious, velvety, soft, fruity Grenache dominant red wine, with the dark skinned Carignan grape and Syrah in the blend adding structure and extra flavour. The result? A seriosuly smooth and juicy dark berry fruited wine. A slightly wild herb and spiced nuance bring it that complexity to make it a truly great wine.
Find it at: Majestic Wine
This is a Spanish red made predominantly from Tempranillo. It is a true customer favourite at Majestic - loved for its phenomenal smoothness and soft, mellow tannin. The juicy, dark fruits of bramble and blackcurrant, along with a little lick of vanilla make it instantly palatable too. Simply, the heady combo of delicious flavours, intense power yet a soft moutfeel make it easy drinking and tasty.
Find it at: Almost everywhere
You can't have a Summer BBQ without a good Malbec. These days, Trivento Reserve Malbec seems to have swept the nation as the Malbec of choice. Expect a mixture of bright red and black fruits along with a generous portion of vanilla to provide your main flavours and match up to grilled meats beautifully. A little bit of additional sugar gives it a gentle sweetness which means it'll also go down very well if you're hosting.
Find it at: Morrisons
When it comes to gluggability this wine is up there for the Summer. Predominantly Shiraz led and from the almost tropical Hunter Valley region, it has the typical ripeness and freshness in equal measure. It's velvety, soft, voluptuous and with plenty of dark fruits like plum and cherry. What's more, it isn't even very expensive for the quality you're getting. This certainly goes a long way to showing why it is so popular! Between £4-£7 in most supermarkets, you'll do well to get this for the Summer months.