When we think of summer wines, we automatically think of fresh bubbles, pale rosés and crisp whites, but we believe that some reds are just as perfect for Summer drinking. Sometimes, serving the reds slightly chilled works beautifully!

Elegant Beaujolais and Loire reds, fresh and juicy Merlot, New Zealand and Austrian Pinot Noir, lighter Rhônes and light Italian reds – All perfect on a sunny day, at a picnic, BBQ or for long Summer evenings.

Here’s our Team’s picks for our best red wines for Summer: 

1) Fleurie Les Granits 2019 Domaine Jean-Marc Lafont, Beaujolais 

Fleurie is the Queen – or King – of the Beaujolais Crus!

Fleurie  Les Granits rose from family winegrowers Jean-Marc Lafont is grown on pink granite soil – hence the name. Their Fleurie is intensely fruity, fresh with elegant silky tannins and lots of concentration!

To be enjoyed on its own but also a great partner to food.

FOOD PAIRING: Perfect for BBQs – absolutely delicious with salads, chicken and veggie kebabs – picnics and all summer drinking and eating!

2) Morgon Les Charmes 2020 Domaine Jean Marc Lafont, Beaujolais

This very specific terroir gives stone fruit aromas flavours (cherry, peach and plum) and a deep ruby robe. This is a generous and powerful wine.

FOOD PAIRING: The perfect partner to coq au vin, bœuf bourguignon, and cheeses.

 

3) Le Clos du Vigneau Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Le Clos, 2018, Loire

Le clos du Vigneau is elegant, soft and harmonious. Intense black fruit flavours, great freshness and perfectly balanced.

FOOD PAIRING: Great match to a charcuterie and cheese board. We love this wine with a Reblochon or crottin de Chavignol.

4) Domaine Jean-Maurice Raffault Chinon 2020 (Organic), Loire

The fruit for Domaine Jean-Maurice Raffault’s Chinon Rouge comes from vineyards on sandy, alluvial soil near the Vienne River. This origin gives a supple, fruity Chinon that is perfect for early drinking. The expressive bouquet of dark berries and violets is followed by supple dark berry/cherry fruit note.

FOOD PAIRING: Beautiful slightly chilled as a summer aperitif and partners well with fish and roasted meat. Also perfect with many vegetarian dishes: risottos, little stuffed tomatoes. Great with goats cheese.

5) Aromatic Merlot 2020 Bruno Andreu, Languedoc-Roussillon

Aromatic means the conviviality of South of France, the authenticity of unique varietals and the richness of the Terroir. Fresh strawberry fruits with a good freshness. Absolutely perfect for summer drinking!

FOOD PAIRING: Great on its own, this Merlot is also great with light Indian cuisine

6)“En Long En Large et En Travers” IGP Méditerranée 2019 Domaine Fond Croze (Organic), Rhône

« En LONG en large et en Travers » is defined as the bottle for friends par excellence! A balanced red wine from the South of France with a beautiful expression of fruit with fine and rounded tannins. A welcoming bottle, easy drinking, without pretence. Fruity, delicious, crunchy, fresh and so enjoyable!

FOOD PAIRING: Ideal with a charcuterie platter, pizzas and barbecues.

7) Ventoux La Claretière 2020 Pierre Amadieu, Rhône

An unquestionable name from the Rhône is Pierre Amadieu. Pierre Amadieu celebrated 90 years in 2019, a milestone birthday for this highly-acclaimed winegrower.

La Claretière, predominantly made with Grenache, is vinified in Pierre Amadieu’s Gigondas winery using traditional methods.

The result is a wine with pleasant fruit and an elegant simplicity. Fresh and aromatic with cherry and redcurrant flavours.

FOOD PAIRING: Perfect with fettuccine al pesto or cold meats.

8) Val Jo – Le Rouge Château Val Joanis IGP Méditerranée 2021, Rhône

We launched last Summer Château Val Joanis’ new Val Jo Le Rosé IGP Méditerranée, and we are now pleased to be listing their white and red.

Fun and retro label and really delicious wines from this superb Lubéron producer located in the Hauts de Provence, in the South East of the Rhone valley.

The red is made of Syrah and Marselan – Marselan is a grape variety that is up and coming in France and makes some very interesting wines. Val Jo le Rouge has excellent structure, fruit, freshness and a gorgeous fresh finish.

FOOD PAIRING: A great partner to poultry, red meat and cheeses.

9)  “Coume des Loups”2019 Mas Mudigliza, Côtes du Roussillon Villages

“Warm notes of ripe dark plums and red cherries seasoned by hints of spices. Juicy in the mouth with a crunchy acidity and elegant finish. Drink 2022-2028. 92 Points, Decanter Magazine, February 2022″

FOOD PAIRING: This is a perfect BBQ wine! Also great with tapas and a sharing charcuterie board.

10) Langhe Nebbiolo DOC 2020, Mauro Molino, Piemonte, Italy

A wine with a fresh and fruity taste, soft and delicate tannins and hints of rose and violet. Always elegant and enchanting.

FOOD PAIRING: Perfect with antipasti, pizza, pasta and chicken

11) Valpolicella DOC Montecurto 2021 (Organic), Marco Mosconi, Veneto, Italy

Marco Mosconi is an incredibly talented young winemaker from Veneto. The winery is in the beautiful Illasi Valley in the eastern part of the Valpolicella region and is run by the fourth generation of the family, Marco and his wife, Valentina. We were so excited to launch this agency earlier this year, especially after we all fell in love with Marco’s wines!

Plum and cherry aromas on the nose, with subtle spicy notes. The palate is fresh and fruity with a good length.

FOOD PAIRING: Perfect as an aperitif with appetizers.

12) Pinot Noir Qualitätswein 2019 Weingut Gottfried Mittelbach, Austria

The Gottfried Mittelbach winery is by Rohrendorf in the Göttweiger mountains. The business is now run by the 3rd generation member of the family, Gottfried Mittelbach Jnr. Gottfried took over the vineyard on the 1st of April 2014, having worked within the family owned company since his childhood. Being a family-owned company is always very close to our hearts!

A beautiful Pinot Noir from Austria, elegant, delicate and fruity! A touch of spice and some soft tannins. Lots of charm, beautiful!

FOOD PAIRING: This Pinot Noir pairs well with a versatile range of food. Charcuterie rare tuna, beef stew, veal dishes, pad Thai and also some cheeses such as brie, goats cheese or vintage gouda.

13) Lawson’s Dry Hills Pinot Noir 2019, Marlborough, New Zealand

This wine is distinctly varietal showing ripe, fresh red fruit characters matched with appealing, slight savoury French oak aromatics. The palate is bright and vibrant with a fleshy midpalate and lovely length.

FOOD PAIRING: A partner to many foods such as hot ham, pork, chicken, light red meat dishes, grilled dishes, seared tuna, stews and casseroles. Also great with pizza and pasta.