At Friarwood Wines & Spirits, we believe great wine knows no seasonal boundaries – and summer is the perfect time to explore the lighter, more refreshing side of red wine.
Summer wine drinking needn't be limited to crisp whites and elegant rosés. Whilst these styles certainly have their place in the warmer months, dismissing red wine entirely during summer means missing out on some truly exceptional drinking experiences. The key lies in understanding which reds work beautifully in hot weather – and yes, many of them are even better served chilled.
The Art of Summer Red Wine Selection
The secret to successful summer red wine drinking lies in choosing bottles with certain characteristics: bright acidity, moderate alcohol levels, fresh fruit flavours, and lighter tannin structures. These wines refresh rather than overwhelm, complement rather than compete with the season's vibrant foods, and crucially, many actually improve when served at cellar temperature or even lightly chilled.
Burgundy Pinot Noir: Elegance Meets Summer Freshness
Burgundy Pinot Noir represents the perfect marriage of elegance and summer drinkability. The lighter styles from villages like Gevrey-Chambertin or Nuits-Saint-Georges offer the sophistication Burgundy is famous for whilst maintaining the bright red fruit and silky texture that makes them ideal for warm weather consumption.
Village-level Burgundies provide exceptional everyday drinking with their pure cherry and raspberry fruits, earthy undertones, and naturally high acidity. These wines show remarkable food versatility and can handle everything from grilled salmon to barbecued lamb.
For those seeking more complexity, Premier Cru Burgundies offer greater depth whilst maintaining that essential summer elegance. The key is choosing producers who emphasise freshness and finesse over power and extraction.
Perfect for: Sophisticated summer dinners, outdoor entertaining where you want to impress, and pairing with seasonal cuisine that demands nuance rather than power.
Italian Delights: From Piedmont to Tuscany
Italy's diverse wine regions offer exceptional options for summer red wine drinking, many of which benefit from slight chilling.
Barbera d'Alba and Barbera d'Asti from Piedmont provide some of the brightest acidity in the red wine world. This natural freshness makes them perfect for warm weather, whilst their cherry and plum fruits offer satisfying depth. Modern Barbera often sees light oak ageing, adding complexity without overwhelming the wine's essential vibrancy.
Dolcetto d'Alba represents Piedmont's more approachable face. Despite its name meaning "little sweet one," Dolcetto is typically dry with bright cherry fruits, soft tannins, and refreshing acidity. It's the everyday wine of Alba's winemakers for good reason.
From Tuscany, younger Chianti Classico wines, particularly those emphasising fresh Sangiovese character over heavy oak, can work beautifully in summer. Look for producers focusing on elegance and food-friendliness rather than power.
Serving tip: Try these Italian reds at 14-16°C – cooler than traditional red wine service but perfect for summer consumption.
Spanish Summers: Tempranillo and Beyond
Spain offers excellent options for summer red wine drinking, particularly from regions emphasising freshness over power.
Rioja Crianza wines, especially those from cooler vintages, can work beautifully in summer when served slightly chilled. The combination of Tempranillo's natural acidity with light oak ageing creates wines that are structured yet refreshing.
Ribera del Duero wines from younger vintages offer pure Tempranillo character with bright red fruit and sufficient acidity for warm weather drinking. Choose carefully – look for producers emphasising elegance over extraction.
For something different, explore Mencía from Bierzo or Godello regions. These wines often show beautiful red fruit character with natural freshness that makes them naturals for summer consumption.
The key with Spanish reds in summer is choosing wines that emphasise fruit purity and natural acidity over heavy oak or high alcohol.
Bordeaux for Summer: Lighter Expressions from the Left Bank
Whilst Bordeaux is renowned for powerful, age-worthy wines, certain expressions work beautifully in summer when chosen carefully.
Cru Bourgeois wines from cooler vintages often display more restraint and elegance than their Grand Cru counterparts. These wines typically blend Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc in proportions that emphasise freshness and food-friendliness.
Médoc wines, particularly from estates focusing on elegance over power, can surprise with their summer suitability. The maritime influence often creates wines with natural freshness and moderate alcohol levels.
Look for Bordeaux wines from cooler vintages or producers known for a lighter touch. These wines benefit from slight chilling (16-18°C) and pair beautifully with grilled meats and summer vegetables.
International Pinot Noir: Global Elegance
Quality Pinot Noir from cooler climate regions offers sophistication perfect for summer entertaining. Whether from Oregon, Tasmania, Germany, or New Zealand's Central Otago, these wines typically show red berry fruits, silky textures, and moderate alcohol levels that won't overwhelm in warm weather.
German Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) deserves particular mention for its delicacy and food-friendliness. These wines often have burgundy-like elegance with a freshness that makes them ideal for summer consumption.
The Portuguese Secret: Vinho Verde Tinto
Most people know Vinho Verde as a light, slightly sparkling white wine, but the red versions (Vinho Verde Tinto) represent one of summer's best-kept secrets. These wines are light, fresh, often with a slight spritz, and absolutely made for warm weather consumption.
Serve Vinho Verde Tinto well-chilled at 10-12°C, and you'll discover a wine that bridges the gap between red and rosé whilst offering unique character that's entirely its own.
Temperature Guidelines for Summer Reds
Getting the serving temperature right transforms good summer reds into great ones:
- Light, fruity reds (young Chianti, Dolcetto): 10-12°C
- Medium-bodied, fresh reds (Barbera, Spanish Tempranillo): 14-16°C
- Pinot Noir and Burgundy: 16-18°C
- Lighter Bordeaux expressions: 16-18°C
Don't be afraid to put red wine in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes before serving, or even to add an ice cube to your glass if the wine becomes too warm outdoors.
Food Pairing: Summer Reds and Seasonal Cuisine
Summer reds excel with the season's fresh, vibrant cuisine:
Grilled vegetables work beautifully with Italian Barbera or Spanish Tempranillo, whose bright acidity complements charred flavours without competing.
Barbecued fish pairs excellently with chilled Burgundy Pinot Noir or young Chianti, where the wine's freshness enhances rather than masks delicate flavours.
Charcuterie and cheese find perfect partners in slightly chilled Dolcetto or fresh Barbera d'Alba.
Spicy summer salads benefit from wines with bright acidity and moderate alcohol – think younger Italian reds or elegant Spanish wines.
Building Your Summer Red Wine Collection
At Friarwood, we recommend keeping several styles on hand for different summer occasions:
For casual outdoor drinking: Young Chianti Classico, honest Côtes du Rhône, or fresh Dolcetto d'Alba
For special summer dinners: Village Burgundy, quality Barbera d'Asti, or elegant Tempranillo from Rioja
For adventurous moments: Slightly chilled Bordeaux from cooler vintages, or international Pinot Noir
For value-conscious choices: Spanish regional wines, younger Italian reds, or lighter Médoc expressions
Storage and Service Tips
Summer red wine storage requires extra attention. Keep bottles in the coolest part of your home, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Consider investing in a small wine refrigerator if you're serious about summer red wine drinking – the ability to serve wines at precisely the right temperature makes an enormous difference.
When serving outdoors, use an ice bucket or insulated wine sleeve to prevent wines from becoming too warm. Remember, it's easier to warm up a too-cool wine than to chill down an overheated bottle.
Embracing Red Wine Freedom
Summer needn't mean abandoning red wine for three months of the year. By choosing the right styles and serving them at appropriate temperatures, red wines can provide some of the season's most memorable drinking experiences. The key lies in understanding that summer reds should refresh and enliven rather than overwhelm and sedate.
At Friarwood Wines & Spirits, we're passionate about helping our customers discover these lighter, brighter expressions of red wine. Whether you're planning a summer garden party, looking for the perfect barbecue companion, or simply want to challenge your preconceptions about seasonal wine drinking, we're here to guide you towards the perfect summer red.
Visit us at either our Parsons Green or Wimbledon Village locations to explore our carefully curated selection of summer-friendly red wines. Our team can recommend specific producers and vintages that exemplify each style, ensuring your summer wine experiences are both refreshing and memorable.
Remember: the best wine for summer is the one you enjoy drinking, regardless of conventional wisdom. Don't let anyone tell you what you can't drink in warm weather – but do let us help you discover what you might be missing.
