Let’s jump right into it. There’s a rather extensive misconception that red wines are all supposed to be enjoyed at room temperature. This could not be further away from the truth. A slight bit of chill may be the saving grace for the bottle you selected for your dinner party.
Sure, most of us have grown accustomed to a warmer appreciation for red wine, but imagine having red as an option available as a summer drink. Wouldn’t that be grand?
What Makes Chilled Red Wine So Good?
Red wine has been around for quite some time and we’ve always stuck to the ordinary, most obvious way of serving it. Over the last few years, consumers have become more drawn to varietals that contain lower levels of alcohol.
With the current trend of lighter styles of red, adding a slight degree of chill to the bottle will change its flavor profile for the better. It’ll transform it into a vino that’s refreshing and ultimately perfect for warmer weather.
What Does It Taste Like?
Reds that are served at 66 degrees can be expected to taste like fruit that has been exposed to the sun for too long. It’ll have a softening effect on the structure of your vino. Meanwhile, alcohol levels instantaneously become more noticeable.
Cooling down the bottle to 55 or even 60 degrees will allow the vino to have a more balanced personality. A slight chill mellows out the overpowering flavors and lessens the powers that the alcohol may have over the taste.
If you chill your red varietal below 55 degrees, the taste will change dramatically and will result in a completely opposite effect on your palate. The presence of alcohol won’t be detected, while aromas and flavors will be subdued. The vino will taste ‘tight’ and the tannins will most likely cause a very astringent effect in your mouth.
Insight On Chilling Red Wines
If you’re giving this a fair shot, we can recommend lighter varietals and types of reds. Loire Valley cabernet francs, young pinot noirs, and the popular beaujolais will work well with a bit of chill on them.
You should keep in mind that your aim is to cool the varietal down. With lighter vino, you don’t want to chill to the point of icy. Unlike heavier reds, we celebrate these lighter varietals for their fresh and bright flavor profiles.
Sample your wine as it cools down and adjust it until you find the right level of chill. It’s mostly about preference. There’s no right or wrong way to do this, as long as you allow your vino to settle down before you dive into it.
5 Wines To Serve chilled
- Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Villages 2017: Beaujolais varietals benefit the most from chilling. Its fruity, spicy character and medium body respond nicely to a reduced temperature
- Meiomi Pinot Noir 2017: Get yourself a sonoma pinot noir and try the chill effect for a lovely sundowner. This particular vino has an amazing tannin structure that’s finished with a silky structure. It has lush notes of boysenberry and subtle traces of oak and vanilla
- Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon ‘Les Granges’ 2019: We’ve mentioned cabernet franc as one of the few wines that benefits from chilling and this young one will prove just that. Expect notes of dark berries like blackberry and raspberry for a punch of freshness, but don’t store it. Enjoy it young
- Viña Zorzal Garnacha 2019: This slightly sweet garnacha is fresh on the palate with an open taste. Most importantly, its affordability makes it a great option for any occasion
- Luigi Pira Dolcetto d’Alba 2019: This is another fresh red selection from the piedmont region that’ll lure you in. It has a rich, ruby redness that pops with fruity flavors when chilled
Conclusion
Take the leap of faith and experiment with a bit of chilling on the red wine front. Room temperatures tend to damage the quality of most red wines. To prevent this, all you’ll need is an ice bucket and an extra few minutes for the wine to find its flavors. Moreover, check out a red wine club to source the best varietals at the most reasonable prices.