5 red wines best served cold
Chillable reds are growing in popularity across the nation’s restaurants and wine bars
Chillable reds are growing in popularity across the nation’s restaurants and wine bars. These are quaffable wines that are intentionally served at cool temperatures. They tend to be juicy and are typically produced from low-tannin grape varieties with refreshing acidity like pinot noir or gamay. While some grape growing regions of the world make chillable wine as a matter of custom (Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo), some wines taste better with a little chill before serving because of their body style and flavor profile.
Temperature plays a vital role in wine service, assuring the bottle’s aromas and flavors are at an optimal level. If you serve a red wine too warm, it may seem muted and boozy, while serving a white too cold may mask the bottle’s aromatics. When it comes to reds, full-bodied wines show best at 63 to 68°F (room temperature) while light-bodied red wines show their best characteristics between 55 to 60°F (cellar temperature). Chillable reds take it a step cooler: You can treat these bottles more like a white wine, serving between 45 to 55°F depending on style.
Carafoli “L’Onesta” Lambrusco di Sorbara NV
This is a wine of tradition from the culinary-focused region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Though Lambrusco can be made in white or rosé, the most celebrated styles are red and frizzante (gently sparkling) and enjoyed while young. Lambrusco can range from bone-dry to very sweet, but Carafoli masterfully balances bright acidity with the fresh fruit flavors of cranberry and Bing cherry without an excessively sugary finish. Perfect for a summer picnic, but also keep Thanksgiving Day turkey in mind.
Available at: ’Ssippi 2926 Cherokee St., St. Louis, ssippi.xyz
Videira Wine Shop & Bar 2702 Locust St. Rear, St. Louis, 314.377.9463, videirawineshopandbar.net
Domaine Cheveau 2020 “Villa Violettes” Saint-Amour
The gamay grape is the star of Beaujolais, a wine-growing region just south of the famed pinot noirs and chardonnays of Burgundy, France. Often displaying qualities like watermelon and bubblegum, gamay is the perfect candidate for a chill before service. “The Domaine Cheveau has the juicy just-ripe cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors,” says advanced sommelier Patricia Wamhoff of Akar. “It has soft tannins that make this wine a great choice for serving it with a hint of chill that enhances the fruit flavors while still preserving the medium texture that makes this a truly quaffable red wine.
Available at: Akar 7641 Wydown Blvd., Clayton, 314.553.9914, akarstl.com
Ashes & Diamonds 2023 “Rosa No. 4”
Domestic wineries are also embracing the trend toward lighter and fresher red wines. Napa Valley-based Ashes & Diamonds nods to the classic clairet style of light red, closer to a dark rosé. Rosa No. 4 is a brilliant ruby red produced from cabernet franc with sangiovese to finish the blend. Tart cherries, strawberries and dried herbs fill the glass on this beautiful wine with a long, dry finish. This wine is perfect for enjoying with ahi tuna, salmon or steak tartare.
Available at: AO&Co. 1641 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, 314.899.0991, bengelina.com/aoco
Madrina 101 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, 314.963.1976, madrinastl.com
Bisson 2023 Ciliegiolo
From the stunning coasts of Portofino comes Enoteca Bisson’s deep rosato of the rare grape ciliegiolo, named after the Italian word for “cherry.” This wine is true to its variety’s namesake, with a rainbow of cherry from the color, nose and throughout the palate. “I enjoy pouring Bisson’s Ciliegiolo often with the first course [of the] meal, which tends to consist of our Ora King salmon crudo with sungold tomatoes and a tamari-ginger dressing, as well as our seasonal vegetables” said Vicia sommelier Jenna Sommer. She’s not afraid to push the envelope, pairing a chillable red wine with heartier fare. “When selecting Ciliegiolo for a main entrée, my preferred pairing is with our ricotta gnudi pasta with smoked bacon, lobster mushrooms and aged gouda or the smoked paprika chicken,” she added.
Available at: Acero 7266 Manchester Road, Maplewood, 314.644.1790, acero-stl.com
Vicia 4260 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis, 314.553.9239, viciarestaurant.com
Tenuta Montemagno 2022 “Ruber” Grignolino d’Asti
Outdoors is the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a chillable red wine. “This is a really fun little patio wine I like somewhere between refrigerator and cellar temp, like 50°F or so,” said John Cain, wine director at Prasino in St. Charles. The grignolino grape hails from the Asti region of Piedmont, Italy. The varietal has many seeds, whose astringency poses a challenge during the winemaking process, but its strong fruity aromas and light-bodied nature make it an ideal candidate for a chill.
Available at: Prasino 1520 S. Fifth St., Suite 110, St. Charles, 636.277.0202, prasinostcharles.com
Alisha Blackwell-Calvert is an advanced sommelier at Madrina.
