6 summer reds to sip in the sunshine

It only takes a trio of heatwaves to make you realise how much better everything tastes, with a refreshing jolt to stir the senses, making you feel comfortably cool… including ruby red wines.

Surprisingly delicious, when you pour a medium bodied red; or fun, fruity new world label straight from the fridge – somewhere between 12 to 18 degrees – those ripe berry flavours and aromas become fresher, more focused, and totally in tune with blue skies and sunshine.

We’re talking easy drinking styles… think fragrant fruit bombs, polished pinot noirs and smooth, silky merlots, with fine to medium tannins – the wines become brighter, better even, with a moreish drinkability, served slightly chilled.

Check out these perfect picks for balmy weather and summertime menus…

1. Irresistible Pais 2023, Chile, £8.65, Co-op, in-store

A cheeky little Chilean and lots of fun, this colourful label comes with the promise of fruity, plummy fruit with a soft, smoky veil and dark cherry flavours on the finish. A native variety to Chile, the pais grape may not roll off the tongue, but definitely worth seeking out for its fresh red fruits, rustic character and pretty petal aromas. One for a charcuterie board.

2. Lentsch Zweigelt 2022, Austria, £9, Waitrose

Another little-known variety, Austria’s A-list red grape (zweigelt), comes into its own when chilled down – and a total thirst quencher. Well laced with cherries, raspberry and plums, with a twist of white pepper, it’s super-juicy and appetising. Enjoy in your sun trap with a slice of pizza, or chargrilled veggies. Delicious.

3. Journey’s End The Bluegum Merlot 2022, Stellenbosch, South Africa, £12.75, Sainsbury’s

Pop this standout merlot in the fridge 30 minutes before serving to balance the oak, enhance the aromatics, and let the beautiful blackcurrant, ripe raspberry and brambly fruit come into play. It’s your go-to with anything sizzling on the BBQ. A favourite find, we’re talking a top drop to have on hand.

4. Asda Extra Special Côte de Beaune Villages 2022, Burgundy, France, £14.48, Asda

A plush pinot noir with all the bells and whistles… a 2025 IWC Gold medal winner, IWSC Silver medal winner, and Decanter World Wine Awards Bronze medal winner. This grape is naturally low in tannins and lends itself to a light chilling to accentuate the freshness. Silky and elegant with cassis and raspberry-edged fruit, soft spice and classic structure, snap it up now and savour all summer long.

5. Louis Jadot Bourgogne Gamay 2022, France, £16.50, Sainsbury’s

The gorgeous, juicy gamay grape gifts us in so many ways – vibrant, flavoursome with a forest floor of succulent summer fruits, fresh acidity; versatile, and star match with all sorts of dishes, the list goes on. And in the hands of this famous producer, a joyous glass. Fragrant, lip-smacking with nuances of sweet spice and delicious concentration, it’s dangerously easy to drink.

6. Balfour Winery Signature Pinot Noir 2022, England, £45, Balfour Winery

It’s not every day you splash out on a still, English red wine… but if you ever needed any reassurance that England’s one of the most exciting wine regions in the world, this beautifully balanced pinot is right on point. Aged in French oak and exhibiting an appealing cranberry edge to the medley of cherry, raspberry and wild berry fruits, with hints of spice marking the minerally finish, it’s even fresher and livelier when chilled down. Cheers!