Like This? Try That: 3 Reds To Try This Summer
Red wines aren’t particularly my go-to for warmer weather, but I do make the exception for lighter, fruitier reds - especially ones that can be chilled. The popular chill-able reds that first come to mind are Lambrusco, Pinot Noir and Gamay. But what else is there beyond the usual suspects?
Instead of Lambrusco, try
an Aglianico-based Spumante Rosso
A nice, Lambrusco di Sorbara is the best easy-drinker for the season. Personally, I find it a really beautiful and fun wine. It’s bone-dry, light in tannin, has extra-dainty bubbles, and has delicate floral and fruity notes paired with bright acidity. Even better? You can score a good bottle at a price point that’ll make you consider buying a case (like this bottle)! It truly is the perfect bottle for day drinking (a good chill is necessary).
Maybe you’ve had your fill of Lambrusco. Fair. Ready for something new? In Southern Italy, Campania to be exact, they create a unique red blend consisting of Aglianico and Piedirosso. Aglianico Spumante Rosso can have raspberry and floral notes - not dissimilar to a Lambrusco. It also pairs perfectly with a pizza! It’s a dry, dark-fruit forward, sparkler at a low ABV (10.5%), making it particularly appeasing for an all-day affair.
Penisola Sorrentina “Gragnano”, Monteleone - 2023 ($19.96)
Instead of a California Pinot Noir, try a Tinto Alentejo
Some of my favorite juicy, mouthwatering, red-fruit forward Pinot Noirs are from California - Los Carneros and Sta Rita Hills to be specific. Los Carneros’ proximity to San Pablo Bay and coastal mountains create the perfect climate for rich, high-acidity (and age-able) Pinots, while Sta Rita Hills’ microclimate surrounded by hills near the Santa Ynez Valley and location on the southern tip of the Central Coast, creates a more concentrated, red-fruit Pinot Noir with a hint of minerality. These fruity, bold wines are a great option for the summer when maybe a Cabernet or Nebbiolo is just a bit too much. In fact, Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with a summer BBQ!
Enough has been said about a Pinot from California. If you’re a fan, you’re likely to enjoy a red from Southern Portugal, specifically from Alentejo and Ribatejo. They’re easy drinkers, fruity, and approachable - only medium in acidity and relatively medium bodied. Despite it’s European architecture, Alentejo region of Portugal has the same climates as California, likely the reason why I compare Tinto Alentejo’s there to California Pinot Noirs. Using a blend of local grapes (Aragonês / Tempranillo, Trincadeira, Castelão, Alfrocheiro and Alicante Bouschet), they’re generous in their fruit flavors and sometimes have aging potential. Chill a bottle and take out 15-20minutes before drinking and you have a glass fit for a plate of whatever’s cooking on the grill.
Alves Vieira, Alentejo - 2022, ($9.96)
Instead of a Beaujolais, try an Austrian Zweigelt
Beaujolais are my favorite bottles to have in store in the fridge, making it my ultimate go-to for a summer red. Located south of Burgundy (or maybe on the southern part of Burgundy depending on the way you preserve the Burgundian wine region), Gamay reins and boasts the perfect climate for reds with pronounced fruit (cherry, red berry), spices and for some, slight savoriness. Low in tannin - Beaujolais accompanies lighter meat, and even fish. Chilled for 20 minutes and voila! But a Beaujolais for summer? Too predictable.
Keeping with the fruit-forward, lighter, chill-able reds, a great glass for warm weather comes from Austria in the form of Zweigelt. With primary flavors of red cherry, raspberry, black pepper, licorice and chocolate, these reds are bright, tart and fruity. It’s the most widespread grape in Austria after it was created in the 1920s by crossing Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. Where it differs from Beaujolais in it’s rich tannin and full-body, it makes up in its similar cherry and red-fruit notes.
Zweigelt “Blauer”, Nittnaus - 2020 ($19.96)
