Why chilled red wine is the coolest thing to drink right now
Rosé is a safe summer bet, but the coolest thing to be drinking right now, in more ways than one, is a chilled red.
There was an inkling that this was going to be a thing last summer, but now that chilly glass of rouge has its feet well and truly under the table.
I was dining at Franco’s, the Italian institution of over 80 years in St James that boasts the largest summer rosé terrace in London, but it wasn’t a glass of pink that caught my attention.
It is my preference to let the Sommelier choose my drink for each dish (at least in trusted restaurants) and this pairing has lived in my heart and mind for weeks now.
A beautiful bowl of truffle pasta arrived alongside a bottle that was dewy with cold condensation and bore a label that had definite hipster leanings. This was not what I expected. And it became my restaurant moment of the month.
The wine was silky, fresh, bright with red fruits and it lifted the creamy, earthy duskiness of the truffle over buttery pasta in the most sublimely enjoyable way. I urge any and every one of you to visit Franco’s for this moment alone. You deserve it.
Serving a bottle of red from the fridge is also a way to casually assert yourself as someone in the wine know and instantly make you seem that little bit more trendy to friends, but this comes with a caveat.
Not all red wines are made to be chilled. You want to avoid tannin, which is what gives red wines that drying sensation in the mouth. They are great for structure, aging and eating with meat but when you are cooling your reds you want something fruity and smooth.
Lady A rosé was originally created exclusively for Soho House before becoming more widely available and now they have launched Lady A Red (£19 Marks and Spencer) designed to be served chilled.
A fabulous Grenache and Syrah-based blend with a pretty Damien Hirst-designed label, it is silky, a little spicy, and I have been serving it up non-stop over June’s heatwave with plates of charcuterie and pizza.
If you want to experiment with a chilled red and are on the hunt for a bargain, then Torres Viña Sol Fruity Red (£6 down from £8.20 on Ocado) is currently on discount. Tons of bright red fruit make this easy-drinking sipper a win on flavour and value.
Future Chateau has been making waves with their well-crafted bottles at 6.5 per cent. Their Reserve Rouge (£22.49 futurechateau.com) mimics a Beaujolais with a quaffable fine structure and is worth a try for those looking to moderate their booze.
Cool the sizzle with a smooth glass of chilled red wine this summer.
Wine Recommendations
Chapel Down Rosé – £25 down from £34 Waitrose
The International Wine Challenge just crowned this spectacular bottle the best English sparkling rosé – and its on offer! Strawberry pastries, wild berries, sun ripened red apples and a superbly fine fizz make it a class act from this lovely team at their multi-award-winning vineyard in Kent.
Feudi di San Gregorio, San Greg Rosato – £19.96 wine-republic.co.uk
Provence may be popular but put down the basic rosé and try something a little different, like this fantastic Italian pink. 100 per cent Aglianico grapes from breezy Campania this wine is fresh and uplifting with fine notes of cherry and grapefruit zest. Picnic perfect.
Pikes Traditionale Riesling 2025 – £13 Tesco
Riesling continues to confuse many people, but here is a bottle that is worth trying. Delivering a crisp, dry, complex white wine from Australia’s renowned Clare Valley with needlepoint precision and layers of flavour. One of the best value bottles on the high street.