White and rosé wines are popular during the summer months because they’re usually served chilled, making them so crisp & refreshing. They are placed in ice buckets at your table while dining out and pulled out of the fridge on warm Saturday afternoons to drink on a sun-drenched patio. We’ve been told that white and rosé wine varietals belong in the fridge and red wine belongs on the wine rack, served only at room temperature. We don’t know who wrote these rules on wine drinking, but we’re here to break them once and for all! This summer, let your red wines have the limelight and serve them chilled. We promise, you’ll never want to go back.
The beauty of a chilled red wine is that as you sip, it will slowly warm up in the glass, making every sip a little bit different from the last — giving you the full expression of the wine. When red wine is chilled, the warm fruit and hot alcohol will be slightly muted, resulting in a crisp and refreshing mouthfeel while maintaining the tannic structure and boldness of the wine. As it warms in your glass back to room temperature, you are slowly introduced to the flavor characteristics and the influence of the alcohol and tannin.
Since you’re still reading, we know you’re interested! Read on to find out:
• The best red wine varietals to serve chilled
• How to successfully chill your wine to the perfect temperature
• Our favorite chilled red wine cocktail recipe and food pairing
Make chilled reds your new summer crush!
Chilling Tips
Be mindful of approaching chilling red wine with care, as overchilling can alter the flavor profile. The key is to make sure the wine is chilled but not cold. According to Vinepair, if a red wine is too cold, below 55 degrees, the flavors will almost be completely muted making the astringency a bit overwhelming. Here’s a few tips to maximize your cool red wine experience:
• Chill your wine in the fridge for approximately 30-40 minutes before drinking
• Use a metal or plastic wine cooler (or ice bucket) to help keep the temperature low once the wine is out of the fridge
• Avoid adding ice cubes to your glass as it will water down the wine
• For those in a hurry, pop the bottle in a freezer for 8-10 minutes