About Chilled Reds
As our extraordinary heatwave continues in the UK, many of our customers have been enjoying the crisp white and refreshing rosé wines that are traditionally served chilled at this time of year - but in warmer climates where the sun shines most of the time, many people like to chill their reds too. In Spain they often serve young (joven) Rioja slightly chilled - but not too cold - just out of the fridge. Ideally, red wines should be chilled in the fridge for about half an hour and served at around 13-16°C.
This week we’ve picked out five excellent reds that are ideal for summer entertaining and pair well with seasonal cuisine. All on special offer for one week only, this is the perfect time to appreciate these red wines from sunnier climes:
1. Saint Cosme Little James’ Basket Press Red Vin de France
Regarded as the leading winery of the Gigondas appellation in the Southern Rhone region, Saint Cosme sets the benchmark for other producers in the area to follow. Talented winemaker Louis Barroul is the 14th generation of his family to make wine here. The winery has been in his family since 1570 and wine has been produced in this region since Roman times. Renowned for his skill and passion for winemaking, Barroul’s ethos is derived from ancient traditions where the main goal of wine production was pleasure rather than profit – although this particular red sells very well too!
Made from 100% Grenache grapes, this vibrant and complex red features hints of cherry, strawberry compote and gingerbread. Produced by blending wines from multiple vintages dating back to 1999, it ages well and is good to drink from now until 2022.
Our second wine this week comes from the laid back slopes of the Mendoza wine region in Argentina where Linden (Tilia) trees grow amongst the vineyards of the Bodegas Esmeralda. Named after the trees - which also decorate each bottle - the dry climate and desert soils of the Tilia winery produce healthy concentrated fruits. With Plum, blackberry and dark chocolate flavours and a hint of pepper and spice, Tilia Malbec is a refreshing embodiment of the slow pace of life in this rural wine growing region. The perfect pairing for salmon, barbecued meats, grilled steak, pasta and game, ideal for a summer evening entertaining.
3. Yering Station Little Yering Pinot Noir
If you’re planning on hosting a party and looking for a crowd-pleasing wine then our third red will definitely fit the bill. Described by wine expert Matthew Jukes as “truly a wine to delight everyone on earth,” Jukes included the Little Yering Pinot Noir in his list of the best 100 Australian wines of 2017 with the following endorsement:
“Tangy, bright, nimble and yet rammed to the brim with cherry stone fruit, this is a great wine and you have to drink it by the pint”
If you are going to drink Little Yering Pinot by the pint then you probably need to order more than one bottle of this refreshing red, so make sure you take full advantage of our special offer – available for one week only!
4. Bodegas Mengoba Brezo Tinto
Our fourth pick is a fresh, ripe, floral, and spicy Spanish red from the Bodegas Mengoba winery. Scoring 91 points on Parker’s Wine Advocate, it was described as heady, expressive, intoxicating – and great value for money:
“The palate is juicy with a soft, approachable texture, very nice balance and freshness and a tasty finish…this looks like a steal!”
This red is a great accompaniment to all kinds of meat especially sausages, game, and pork dishes - yet another excellent excuse to fire up the barbecue!
This medium-bodied Italian wine is purplish red, with raspberries, cherry, juicy fruits and very soft tannins. Located in Sicily, the COS winery produces some of the finest wines on the island using natural, biodynamic methods and organic native grape varieties. This wine is elegant, complex and truly unique – a great summer drink and a popular choice here at VINVM HQ.
Cheers!