Is it Time to Chill Your Reds?

The wine experts of the world certainly seem to think so. A 2024 report by Wine Intelligence found that 35% of UK wine drinkers now enjoy chilled red wine during the summer months, up from just 5% in the five years before. And the reason for this largely lies in the fact that chilling red wine helps to highlight juicy, fresh characteristics, and allows wine lovers to drink their favourite bottle of red whatever the season. 

So, how do you pick the best chilled red wine? 

When selecting your bottle of red, you need to pick a grape variety that’s low in tannins, high in acidity, and fruit-forward. The best red wines to chill are types like Gamay, Pinot Noir, and Rondo. This is partly due to the fact that fuller bodied wines can become a little bitter when chilled. The higher acidity of a grape, like Pinot Noir, makes it ideal for a chilled red as the cooler temperature helps to bring out a desirable crispness. Of course, if you want to try chilling a variety like Malbec, we certainly won’t stop you, but some varieties lend themselves better to being served at room temperature, depending on the composition of the wine.  

To get the best from your chilled red, you don’t need to make it too cold. You’re aiming for around 12–14°C in temperature when serving. This usually means placing your bottle into the fridge for around an hour. Any longer than this and you’re likely to make it a little too chilly and start to mute some of the flavours. You may find with some fridges you need even less than an hour to reach the desired temperature. 

When it comes to pairing with food, think classic grilled dishes at your next barbecue. You can bring your chosen red out in an ice bucket to keep cool in the sunshine, and enjoy refreshing bright flavours alongside the smoky intense notes of grilled meats and charred vegetables. From grilled corn on the cob to seared steak, a chilled red is an unforgettable accompaniment for a summer feast with friends and family. 

And our Rondo 2023 Vintage is perfect for getting involved in this growing trend. Medium-bodied with bright fruit flavours and low in tannins, if you want to try tasting an award-winning English red wine chilled, then our Rondo ticks all the boxes. Its abundant cherry notes come to the fore when chilled, and it makes this special single variety bottling even juicier. For summertime red wine pairings we’d recommend tasting our Rondo chilled alongside a cheese board at your next picnic. 

If you choose to chill our Rondo, we’d love to hear your thoughts - feel free to get in touch with the team directly or tag us @radlowhundred on social channels.