Chilled Red Wines for Summer
Can you chill red wine? You bet! This is your guide for what types of red wines are best chilled, how to chill them and more.
Best Red Wines to Chill in the Summer
Red wines with vibrant acidity are great for hot summer days and nights; chilling them only enhances that aspect. Acidity is what gives wine that crisp, mouth-watering edge so welcome in warmer weather. Served chilled, the acidity shines even brighter.
Why Low-Tannin Red Wines Taste Better Chilled
The best red wines for chilling have intense aromatics and fruit-forward flavours (to burst through the muting effect of the chill) and softer tannins (so the structure isn’t overbearing). Reds with some residual sugar also work well, as the sweetness balances the enhanced acidity.
How Cold Should Red Wine Be?
Slightly Chilled
- 16-18°C
- Full-bodied & Smooth
- 30 minutes in the fridge, or 5 minutes on ice.
Try with Dandelion Treasure Trove Mclaren Vale Grenache 2024
Chilled
- 14-16°C
- Medium-bodied & Fruity
- 1 hour in the fridge, or 10 minutes on ice.
Cold
- 12-14°C
- Light-bodied & Fruity/Dry red sparkling
- 1.5 hours in the fridge, or 15 minutes on ice.
Ice-Cold
- Serve at: 0-12°C
- Sweet red wines/Semi-sweet red sparkling
- 2+ hours in the fridge, or 20+ minutes on ice.
Chilled Red Wines Available at LCBO
Best Food Pairings for Chilled Red Wines
Wines with ample acidity are naturally versatile with food. Served chilled, all these reds will go nicely with summer salads, charcuterie, cheese boards, dips, falafel, grilled veggies, mushroom burgers or barbecued salmon, chicken or pork.
Buttery Stuffed Tomatoes
Curried Chicken Breast with Quinoa Salad and Baba Ghanouj
Hibiscus Raspberry and Pink Peppercorn Frozen Pops
