Top 5 Red Wines for Summer

When summer comes around, drinking red wine may not be at the top of your list for refreshing beverages. However, there are red wines that do make great summer wines. When choosing a red wine for the summer season think drinkability and refreshment. This means younger, lighter-bodied red wines with lower tannins and higher acidity. One tip is to look at the alcohol content of a red wine when choosing. Generally, lower alcohol content means a lighter-bodied and more acidic red wine. And despite the general rule that red wines shouldn’t be chilled, there are red wines that are best chilled. With these ideas in mind, here are the best summer wines of the red variety.

#1 Red Wine for Summer: Rosé
To many, the mention of a rosé brings to mind cheap wine, perhaps packaged in a box. Yet, there are a variety of modern rosés that are not of the overly sweet variety that you may associate with pink wines such as White Zinfandel. In sharp contrast to these sweet pink wines, there are very refreshing, dry rosés on the market that are the perfect complement to a summer barbecue. With the aroma of a red wine, and the advantage of being served well chilled like a white wine, they are one of the best summer wines. If you haven’t tried a rosé lately, look for a dry rosé with a deep pink hue and you may be surprised.

Recommendation: Turkey Flat Rosé (Australia) $18-$20
Turkey Flat Rosé is an exceptional rosé with bursts of strawberry, raspberry and watermelon, yet it is quite dry. Turkey Flat Rosé is a blend of Grenache, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Dolcetto. Incredibly versatile with food, it complements everything from fish to barbecued meat. Serve well chilled. Find a wine shop near you carrying Turkey Flat at wine-searcher.com.

#2 Red Wine for Summer: Rioja (Spain)
Rioja from Spain is a great light red to enjoy in the hot summer months. Primarily made of the Tempranillo grape with a few other grapes in the mix, Rioja is classified by age into four categories: Joven, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. Joven is the youngest, generally not aged in oak, while Reserva and Gran Reserva are aged in oak the longest. Pick a Joven no more than two to three years old for an exuberant, light, refreshing fruity Rioja that you can drink chilled or mix up to make sangrias. Crianza, which is aged in oak for at least one year is another best summer wine choice.

Recommendation: Rioja Vega Joven 2007 (Spain), $8-$10
Minimally aged in stainless steel, Vega Joven is a blend of 90% Tempranillo with 10% Garnacha. Bright and young with the fresh aroma of red berries and cherry, Vega Joven is fruity, yet refreshingly dry with a crisp acidity. Serve slightly chilled with Tapas for a light summer dinner or as a complement to lighter grilled dishes such as vegetables or chicken. Jovens are also a good complement to spicier foods to cool the heat. Vega Joven is great on its own as well as an everyday or party wine. Serve chilled at around 48 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Check wine-searcher.com to locate a source near you.

#3 Red Wine for Summer: Beaujolais
Beaujolais is another young red wine that is best chilled. Made in the Beaujolais region of France of the Gamay grape, Beaujolais is a light bodied red with high acidity and few tannins. Make sure not to buy a Beaujolais Noveau in the summer, however. Beaujolais Noveau is released in late fall and meant to be drunk by January.

Recommendation: Duboeuf Beaujolais Village (France) $8-$10
This Beaujolais by George Duboeuf is readily found in most wine shops and makes an excellent red wine for all summer occasions. Soft and fruity with ripe cherry, strawberry and black currant flavors, this Beaujolais is great for a summer picnic or with grilled meats and barbecued ribs. Serve slightly chilled at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

#4 Red Wine for Summer: Syrah/Shiraz
The Syrahs of the Northern Côtes Du Rhône region in France with their fruity yet peppery and smoky flavors make Syrah a robust complement to a thick juicy grilled steak, hamburgers, and meats cooked in a smoker. However, many Syrahs from California are great on this front as well.

Recommended: Morgan Cote du Crows 2007 (California) $18-$20
A blend of 55% Syrah and 45% Grenache, Cote du Crows is a medium-bodied red with soft tannins. Versatile with food pairing, this Morgan vineyards Syrah works well with grilled steak as well as barbecued chicken, pork or beef. Serving this very lightly chilled at around 60 degrees really makes the fruity flavors pop. Locate a wine shop carrying Cote du Crows near you at wine-searcher.com.

#5 Red Wine for Summer: Malbec
When you think of meat, one country comes to mind as the epitome of grilled meats: Argentina. And the quintessential Argentinean grape is the Malbec. Medium to full-bodied, Malbec is a big robust red for big meat eaters. Look for a younger Malbec for one of the best summer wines for a barbecue.

Recommendation: Bodega Norton Malbec (Argentina) $8-$10
A young Bodega Norton Malbec is one of the best wine values out there. This Malbec is fantastic with grilled steaks, hamburgers and hearty barbecued meats. Although robust, it is not overly complex so it won’t compete with barbeque flavors. Serve at 65 degrees. Search wine-searcher.com to find this Malbec near you.

This summer, pick up one of these best red summer wines for a barbeque, party, or just for sipping on the patio at night.