16 Chillable Red Wines for Summer Sipping

Just because it’s spring doesn’t mean that you should only drink white and rosé wines. There are plenty of chillable red wines that are every bit as refreshing with the additional benefit of opening up a whole new world of food-pairing possibilities.

When shopping for these wines, focus on bottles that are a bit higher in acidity and lower in tannin. Brighter and more mouthwatering reds will have their freshness amplified by a chill, and lower-tannin ones will avoid becoming astringent and almost woody when cooled down too much.

“The very first thing to point out is we’re talking about chilled wines (between 60 to 65 degrees) and not cold red wines coming out of a refrigerator,” explains Gary Obligacion, vice president of food and beverage at Aparium. Obligacion will be hosting a session on chillable red wines at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen this year alongside master sommelier Sabato Sagaria, managing partner of Apres Cru. 

“Light to medium-bodied red wines lend themselves to chilling much better than their full-bodied counterparts,” notes Obligacion. “In addition, it’s best to have a more fruit-forward wine. Lower temps knock down the fruit flavors and accentuate both acid and tannin, so big red wines fall out of balance quickly and aren’t nearly as pleasant when drinking them chilled.”

Perhaps the most famous chillable dry red is Beaujolais, the beloved French region located south of Burgundy and north of the Rhône Valley. Wines labeled Beaujolais-Nouveau or simply Beaujolais are classic candidates for chilling, but even some of the more location-specific reds from individual crus can benefit from being slightly cooler.

Of course, there are plenty of other places for great chillable reds, too. “I think wines grown in island climates work great — think Sicily, Canary Islands, Corsica,” Sagaria points out. “Or cooler climates that produce brighter, fresher wines (Germany, Austria, etc.). Also grapes like Gamay, Grenache, and Pinot all work well,” he explains. “When in doubt, stick it in the fridge for at least an hour prior to drinking. You can also drink it from the fridge and see how it changes with time to find the sweet spot.”

There are more options than you may think. “Many red grape varieties are great for serving chilled,” Obligacion notes. The selections below are excellent additions to any warm-weather table, but they’re terrific all year round, too.

2022 Ametzoi Stimatum Getaria Txakolina

“A really fun wine that most people have never heard of. This comes from Getaria on the coast of northern Spain just west of San Sebastián. There are only about 30 acres planted with Hondarrabi Beltza, which is a distant relative of Cabernet Franc. It mixes black and red fruit characteristics making it a real crowd-pleaser.” — Sabato Sagaria

2021 Banfi l’Altra Anima Barbera d’Asti

This announces itself with a distinct freshness to the nose, an almost saline breeze that carries notes of wild strawberries, black raspberries, blood oranges, and scrubby herbs. A quiet kick of fennel seeds and a dusting of nicely structured tannins make this an absolutely perfect wine served slightly chilled alongside pepperoni pizza. — Brian Freedman

2022 Copain P2 Red Wine Sonoma Coast

Produced from a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, this wine has a taut spine of acidity that carries flavors of pomegranate and coriander seeds, red cherries, and thyme. It’s a wonderfully vibrant bottle driven by its mouthwatering fruit, and the fine-grained tannins and bright acidity make it a perfect partner for grilled fennel-flecked sausage. — B.F.

2021 Donnachadh Gamay Sta. Rita Hills

Grown on the Donnachadh Estate, this is the first vintage of their Gamay, and it is terrific. It’s bursting with loads of pomegranate and cranberry flavors, all of it sliced through with acidity and crunchy minerality. A hint of violets sweeps in on the finish, as well as cracked peppercorns and balsamic notes. — B.F.

2022 Donnafugata Bell’Assai Frappato Vittoria, Sicily

Year after year, this wine is a summertime winner whose freshness and gulpability make it irresistible. The 2022 vintage is reminiscent of dried flowers and potpourri, of rhubarb compote on an English muffin. It’s best enjoyed in the short term. — B.F.

2022 Guy Breton Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais

“Classic Gamay from one of the region’s stalwarts. Coming from the village of Morgan, it sports a refreshing mineral backbone that is great with any kind of chicken – fried, grilled, roasted, BBQ – you bring to the picnic this summer.” —S.S.

2021 Guy Breton Régnié, Beaujolais

“Gamay is the defining grape of the Beaujolais wine-growing region of France, and of the 10 Crus, Régnié is one of the lightest expressions and is known for fragrant, structured wines with refined tannins. The nose on this particular wine is ripe red fruits such as raspberries and cherries, lifted by subtle floral notes. Flavors burst forward and the acidity results in a bright, clean finish.” — Gary Obligacion

2020 Halter Ranch CDP Côtes de Paso Adelaida District, Paso Robles

Mostly Grenache that’s blended with Syrah, Mourvedre, and Tannat, this energetic red washes over the palate with mixed mountain berries and purple plums. Silk-textured tannins carry flavors of cocoa powder and a hint of dried herbs. The finish lingers with suggestions of cherries, boysenberries, and lavender. — B.F.

2022 Hirsch Vineyards ‘Bohan-Dillon’ Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

“This beautiful Pinot Noir is made from three vineyards from the West Sonoma Coast: Hirsch, Hellenthal, and Heintz Ranch. The predominant aromas are cherry and plum with a hint of sarsaparilla. Directly underneath are vanilla and forest floor notes which become more pronounced in the glass. All of these are reflected on the palate. The texture is soft and round with bright acidity and a gentle tannic structure.” — G.O.

2020 Kiona Lemberger Red Mountain, Washington

Better known as Blaufrankisch in its Austrian incarnation, this Washington State gem strikes a balance between savory notes of forest floor, thyme, and dried flowers alongside red and dark cherries, purple plums, and woodsy spice. For under $20, this is an incredible value. — B.F.

2022 Las Jaras Charbono Amphora

Old vine, dry-farmed Charbono from Mendocino County’s Guido Ventura vineyard are given the star turn they deserve in this joyous wine. Boysenberry, cranapple, violets, and rose petals finish with a note of crushed blueberries against surprisingly subtle oxidative notes of the amphora usage. — B.F.

2021 Lichtenberger-González Muschelkalk Rot

Bringing together Blaufrankisch and Zweigelt, this summer-perfect red is vibrant with tart cherries and kumquats, with leather and bergamot pulsing beneath it all. A subtle whiff of violets lifts the mouthwatering cherries that come sweeping back in on the finish. — B.F.

2021 Paxton Grenache McLaren Vale, Australia

This red bursts from the glass with bright red cherries, cranberries, wild strawberries, rose petals, and a hint of orange. It’s crafted from organic grapes that were whole-bunch fermented with wild yeast, and will sing both on its own and alongside everything from grilled chicken to hot dogs and salmon. — B.F.

2022 Pecchenino Dolcetto Dogliani San Luigi

Generous, vibrant, and a brilliant purchase at right around $20, this Dolcetto is a home run at the table, whether you’re pairing it with pizza or nothing more than a big plate of charcuterie. Fine-grained tannins frame tart cherries and cranberries, and a spine of minerality lends it all posture and a savory core. It finishes with a sweep of springtime blossoms and fresh oregano. — B.F.

2020 Weingut Dorli Muhr Carnuntum, Austria

Blaufrankisch and Syrah bring plenty of white peppercorn, bacon, and cherries to every sip. Red tea, fresh-cut herbs like tarragon, and pomegranate seeds also mingle in a fresh, exuberant wine whose savory underpinnings are unforgettable against the dominant red fruit. — B.F.

2021 Benanti Etna Rosso, Sicily

“Nerello Mascalese is not a widely planted grape, but it’s clear that it is completely at home on the slopes of Mt. Etna. Wines from this grape tend to be light to medium-bodied and very reminiscent of Pinot Noir. Aromas in this bottle are red cherry and rosehip with a distinct underlying mineral note. The red fruit flavors continue on the palate but sweet spice elements also come forward. The tannins on this wine are firm but still silky, almost demanding that you find something to snack along with it.” —G.O.