The best reds to serve chilled right now

If you’re yet to get excited about a glass of chilled red wine, we think you’re in for a treat. The idea of sticking a bottle of red in the fridge or plonking one in an ice bucket might seem jarring, but when done right, it can be one of the greatest ways to enjoy certain wines. The best chilled reds are bright, refreshing and hit all those juicy fruit notes, which also make them excellent matches for all types of food. And while they’re ideal for balmy days when a room-temperature red just doesn’t appeal – a glass of warm wine is not a good time – chilled reds can be just as delicious on cooler occasions, too. 

The key thing to remember is that some reds are way better for chilling than others. Essentially, when choosing a bottle of red to serve chilled, you want a wine that’s low in tannins, high in acidity and loaded with bright fruit flavours. This leads to the likes of lighter styles of pinot noir and pinot meunier, fruit-forward grenache and delicate gamay or Beaujolais, to name a few. This isn’t the time for your favourite oaky shiraz or structured cabernet as these qualities will only get more pronounced when chilled and overtake everything else in the glass. 

You also don’t necessarily need to leave your red in the fridge until you’re ready to drink it – many wines only need a quick stint of chill time before serving or just need to be popped in an ice bucket right before opening. But who are we to tell you how to do it? The best way to explore chilled reds is to try a few different lighter styles at various temperatures, with different dishes, and see what you like the best. 

Here to help, we’ve rounded up six great reds that shine when chilled, so take your pick from the selections below.