Should I Chill My Bottle of Red Wine?

The simple answer to this question is “if that’s how you like it, why not” Once the wine is out the store and in your glass, it’s up to you how you choose to drink it.

Summer is definitely here and sitting down in the heat to a warm glass of red wine would make even a Master of Wines give it up. Chilling wine is not to every one’s liking and there are a lot of you that would say “well if I want cold red wine I’ll have a Tinto-Verano or a chilled Rosé, that’s all well and good, each to their own, but for those of you who do, the softer, young and fruity red wines work best. Young Gamay wines are the best to chill, they are usually full of strawberry notes. Smooth Pinot Noirs and cherry bursting Italian reds work very well too. Aged or full-bodied red wines loose character when chilled and end up being tannic and chewable like warm jam.

Young wines with lots of berry fruit notes seem to taste better and more refreshing, mind you, I wouldn’t have them stone cold, maybe keep them for a couple of hours in the fridge to chill. If you’re out and about and your waiter brings you a warm bottle, ask for an ice-bucket, it’s not a silly request and they should understand. By the way, in Rioja a “tinto de verano” is usually a glass of roble red with just an ice cube in it! Sangria is a whole other story; everyone has their own method and recipe. 

Try these…

• Labouré Roi Beaujolais Villages £13.50
• Tussock Jumper Pinot Noir £8.50
• Care Tinto Roble £7.50
• La Spinetta Chianti £15.50

And just chill out!