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Cool Down with Chilled Reds
- 40 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Forget the rosé: this summer - it's all about chilled red wine. We chat with the experts to look at which reds suit this trend best, why they work so well, and where to get them.
Daisy Shepherdson-Jones, Head of Range at Laithwaites
“You can definitely serve red wine lightly chilled. It’s becoming increasingly popular in the UK, although it’s nothing new in many parts of Europe: in France and around the Mediterranean, for example, chilled red wine has long been part of the drinking culture. The key is choosing the right style. Save the powerful, heavily tannic or well-aged reds for serving at a warmer temperature and instead reach for youthful, juicy, lighter-bodied reds. A gentle chill helps lift their fresh fruit flavours and makes them even more refreshing to drink.”
Daisy’s top tips:
Michael Pope, WSET-qualified sommelier based in Madrid
Michael Pope founded Vine Travel in 2023: a boutique wine tour agency that brings travellers closer to Spain’s diverse wine regions offering highly personalised tours for small and private groups, designed to go beyond traditional wine tasting and immersing clients in the heritage and stories behind every bottle.
"Firstly, the biggest mistake people make with red wine is assuming it should be served at room temperature. What is room temperature exactly? Because right now, at the end of July in Madrid, the thermometer at home reads 33°C… that’s soup territory. Room temperature actually relates to the temperature of the cellars, which is usually around 12 to 14°C.
What reds should you chill? The best ones are those that thrive on energy, not weight. Pinot Noirs, young Garnachas from Gredos, a Mencía from Bierzo, Frappato or even a vibrant Beaujolais. These younger, more fruit-forward wines are ideal around 13°C. Cold enough to sharpen the fruit, but not so cold that it mutes the aromas.
For me, the best way to chill a red is to store it in a wine fridge, second to that is to stick it in a bucket of water with a bit of ice. But if you don’t have a bucket or a wine fridge, give it thirty minutes or so in the kitchen fridge to give it a slight chill before serving."
To master the chilled red trend at home, check out these wine-producing regions and grape varieties.
Sicilia DOC wines are made from some of Sicily’s most celebrated native grape varieties. As Italy’s top organic wine region, the island’s unique combination of intense Mediterranean sun, cooling sea breezes and wild volcanic soils yields red grapes that are naturally packed with crunchy freshness. Giving these bottles a quick plunge into an ice bucket dials back the alcohol warmth, sharpens berry flavours and unlocks an effortless thirst-quenching drink highlighting coastal Italy.
Frappato: Think of this as Sicily’s ultimate summer red. Light in body, fragrant and practically made for the fridge. Once chilled, it explodes with aromas of sweet red cherries, wild strawberries and punchy zip of blood orange that making it irresistibly refreshing.
Nero d’Avola: While Nero d’Avola is famous for being Sicily’s signature red grape, it can take on an entirely new personality when served cool. Lowering the temperature rounds out the grape’s natural peppery spice and puts a spotlight on its juicy core of black cherry and plum.
Nerello Mascalese: This elegant style relies on the native Nerello Mascalese grape. Served lightly chilled, it reveals notes of wild raspberry, red berries and a crisp finish.
Grenache & Syrah
M Chapoutier ‘Rouge Clair’ 2024
This delicious pale red comes from Grenache noire and Syrah grapes, carefully selected from the terraces of the Black Mountain foothills, a brilliant bottle of freshness with the crisp taste of fruit. The expression of these two varieties reveals delicate tannins and the aroma of raspberries and small red fruits. The perfect new wine to pair with charcuterie and cold buffets - a light red to enjoy chilled or with ice.
RRP: £15.00
Pinot Noir
Errazuriz Estate Reserva Pinot Noir 2025
Lightly oaked, with strawberry and cherry flavours, this wine has soft tannins and a refined structure. It works well chilled and is excellent value for money.
RRP: £10.00
Available at Ocado and major supermarkets
Alsace Pinot Noir is ideally suited to light chilling, combining bright red fruit, freshness and subtle structure, offering a refreshing option whether enjoyed as an aperitif or alongside food:
Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr, AOC Alsace Pinot Noir 2023 (Majestic Wines, £11)
Wunsch et Mann, AOC Alsace Pinot Noir 2024 (Vivino, £24)
Maison Jean Huttard, AOC Alsace Pinot Noir 2023 (People’s Wine, £40)
Gustave Lorentz, AOC Alsace Pinot Noir 2023 (The Wine I Love, £14.43)
Léon Beyer Vins Fins d'Alsace, AOC Alsace Pinot Noir 2023 (Yapp Brothers, £22.25)
Light, fruity blends
Produced in the rolling hills of southern Portugal's Alentejo, PIRR Colheita Red comes from some of the region's highest vineyards, 350 metres above sea level, where cool Atlantic breezes and dramatic day to night temperature shifts preserve freshness, lift and brighten fruit character. The estate combines regenerative farming with modern winemaking to produce wines that are both expressive and beautifully balanced.
Made from Alicante, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Aragonês and Trincadeira grapes, PIRR Colheita Red is vibrant rather than weighty, revealing ruby red fruit, delicate floral notes and a refreshing elegance that makes it just as enjoyable served at around 12 to 14°C as it is at room temperature.
RRP: £23.95
If you're looking to try some chilled reds when you're out and about in London, here are some of our favourite places.
Firebird
Tucked away on Poland Street, in the heart of Soho, Firebird has become one of the capital’s most talked-about dining destinations, drawing praise for its open-fire cooking, natural wine list and intimate, atmospheric setting. Read our full review of Firebird here.
Founded by Anna Dolgushina and Madina Kazhimova, Firebird opened in June 2022, setting out to create a female-founded wine bar and restaurant rooted in an ingredients-first approach to cooking, mimicking that found across the Mediterranean. The wine list champions small, natural and biodynamic producers from across Europe. The list is curated by co-founder and Sommelier Anna Dolgushina, whose passion for winemaking defines Firebird’s bar menu, as much as its food.
"For us, chilled reds aren't a trend, they're a lifestyle. We love reds that can take a slight chill because they're naturally juicy, fresh and lighter in structure. They often have a bit less alcohol too, which means you can enjoy another glass without feeling heavy the next day. They work especially well with the proper summer weather we're having in London.
Talking about serving temperature, there's also a common misconception around red wine being served at room temperature. Historically, "room temperature" meant around 16-18°C in cellars and old European houses, not the 24°C living rooms and restaurants we often have today. So, to serve red wine at its intended room temperature, all bottles actually need a little time in the fridge.
At Firebird, we pour light Gamay from Beaujolais (£12 by the glass), a Sicilian Frappato with lovely spice (£14 by the glass), and we even like to serve our Nebbiolo (£19 by the glass) with a slight chill, as that's when it shows the best of its fresh, vibrant character. By the bottle, we'd happily recommend Pinot Noir, Dolcetto and Syrah served the same way. We also love Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo which is technically a rosé, but in true Italian style it's dark and structured enough that the rest of the world would happily call it a red."
Anna Dolgushina, Co-Founder & Sommelier at Firebird & Noisy Oyster
Vagabond
Vagabond is a collection of self-pour wine bars built around making wine more fun, more accessible and more interesting. Founded in Fulham in 2010, Vagabond gives guests the freedom to tap and pour from more than 100 wines by the glass, discovering new favourites at their own pace. Today, Vagabond operates 12 bars across London and Birmingham, with teams trained through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Its own award-winning wines are made by Vagabond’s in-house winemaking team at its Urban Winery in Canada Water, using grapes sourced from within two hours of London.
"As part of our mission to make wine more accessible for our guests, we categorise our wines by style rather than country of origin. For our red wines, we’ve created a spectrum that ranges from lighter, fresher styles in our “Vibrant” category through to richer, fuller-bodied wines in our “Bold” selection. Our lighter, chillable reds sit within the Vibrant category and are served slightly cooler - typically around 12°C - to enhance their fresh, fruit character.
Across all our of sites, guests can discover a selection of chillable reds within the Vibrant category, including wines such as the 2024 Garcia Perez Bobal, and our exclusive collaboration label with Leo Erazo, the 2022 Vagabond x Leo Erazo “Are You Taking the País?”. We’ve also launched a digital wine flight, “Liquid Sunshine”, which can be ordered through the Vagabond app, showcasing the varying styles of chillable wines from fuller textured rosés to lighter reds."
Freddie, Head of Drinks at Vagabond
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Deputy Editor, Chatting Food London: Amanda David
Amanda David is a freelance food and drinks writer specialising in London and Margate’s restaurants, bars and events, and food-focused travel.
Follow Amanda on Substack and on Instagram: @LondonGAT
