Value Red Wines for Summer Sipping

I have to admit I’m partial to white and pink wines when the weather is hot, but I still like a nice red wine with burgers on the grill or brisket from the smoker. The red wines that work best this time of year are ones that are a bit lighter in style, or those that pair well with smoky, spicy foods. And of course, we don’t want to spend a lot of money to enjoy a good wine. Here are five value red wine options for you to consider as summer sizzles along!

Value red wines for the summer - Photo by Laurie Geis

Picture this. You are hosting a summer cookout in your back yard. You step outside your air-conditioned house into your back yard and the heat and humidity hit you in the face like a furnace turned up to high. It’s 96 degrees with 90 percent humidity, and there is no escape from the sun. Oh, the grill is also going so there’s even more heat to deal with as you sweat and suffer along with all of your guests.

Now, you head to the cooler to grab something to drink. What sounds better – an ice-cold beer or a nicely chilled Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc wine, or a room temperature heavy red wine with lots of tannins on the finish? No brainer, right? But wait – you don’t have to swear off red wines for the summer season – you just have to know which red wines to drink when the weather is hot and sticky! And I’m here to help!

There are a few tricks to enjoying red wines this time of year. First, look for lighter, fruitier reds instead of the bigger, richer red wines with lots of tannins. So, think Gamay, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Merlot, or even Zinfandel instead of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinotage, or Petit Sirah. Your local wine merchant will be able to steer you in the right direction to ensure you select a lighter version of each of these varieties, all of which can be made in many different styles.

Next, give a bit of thought to pairing your red wine with food before you buy a bottle. Serving a spicy BBQ dish? Then go for a spicier red like Zinfandel. Grilling a chicken on a spit? Then go for really light red like Gamay or Pinot Noir. Serving a Spanish tapas menu? Then pick out a nice Spanish Tempranillo to pair with them.

Lastly, put a bit of a chill on those red wines before you serve them instead of serving them at room temperature. Doing so will ensure the wines refresh instead of fatigue you and will also minimize the components of red wine that make them taste heavier and richer (like the tannins for example). 30 minutes in the refrigerator before you serve them will do the trick, and then keeping them on ice outside will help keep them chilled at the right temperature.

With those tricks and hints in mind, here are five good value reds that would shine at any outdoor party you are hosting this summer!

• 2017 CVNE Crianza Rioja ($15). I love Spanish wines because they are generally high quality and high value wines as well. While some can get pretty pricey, most are very reasonably priced and deliver on flavor and complexity as well. Many Spanish reds, like this Crianza Rioja, are medium-bodied with a nice fruit-forward character that makes them a great match for warmer weather. This one smells and tastes like dark berry fruit (blackberry and blueberry) and has light tannins and a tight structure on the finish. Pair this wine with a tapas spread that includes fried eggplant with cheese sauce, or empanadas.

• 2019 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel Contra Costa County California ($13). Cline is one of my favorite Zinfandel producers, and this Ancient Vines Zinfandel is a beauty. The Ancient Vines moniker means that the vines have been around and producing fruit for decades (sometimes upwards of 40 – 50 years). As he vines get older, they produce less fruit but the fruit they do produce is highly extracted in flavor and intensity. This Zinfandel is surprisingly subtle and soft, with light tannins and red and blackberry fruit. I get a hint of spice on the nose and the finish. Medium-bodied, this wine would pair perfectly with burgers on the grill or smoked BBQ baby back ribs.

• 2020 Decoy by Duckhorn Pinot Noir California ($18). Duckhorn is a premium wine producer in Napa Valley that specializes in high-end Merlot, but they also make fantastic Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. Decoy is their second label and showcases their more affordable wines, but they drink like their first label wines making them a fantastic value for the price. This Pinot Noir, which uses fruit from vineyards across California and not just in Napa Valley is light red in color with a delicate floral scent that also includes black cherries. The wine is medium-bodied, with bright strawberry and red berry fruit flavors. There’s nice acidity on the long finish. If you haven’t ever tried Pinot Noir before, this is a great introductory wine to try. It would pair perfectly with simply grilled salmon or a pork stir-fry.

• 2020 Michael David Winery Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon Lodi California ($14). Yes, I know – earlier in this post I effectively told you to steer clear of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Summer. But that’s not what I really meant – this variety has its place in the Summer just like any other. For example, if you are grilling a nice NY Strip steak for dinner, then a Cabernet Sauvignon should be on the menu as well! I have to confess I have stayed away from the Freakshow line of wines, thinking they were flashy and over-the-top instead of serious wines. But then I read the reviews from notable wine publications, all of which spoke highly of these Michael David Winery wines. And if you are a person who buys wines based on the labels, then these are natural ones for you to grab. This wine is a big one, with dense concentrated fruit flavors like boysenberry and blackberry. It’s full-bodied and fruity, but with some hefty tannins on the finish as well. You would likely find yourself fatigued and falling asleep if you drank this wine on its own in warm weather, but it shines when paired with a nice fatty steak off the grill!

• 2018 Villa Antinori Toscana Red Italy ($15). Everybody needs a “go to” Italian wine, and many of the wines from the Tuscany region of Italy are great wines to enjoy in the Summer. They tend to be lower in alcohol and lighter in style, with bright fruit flavors but also a light earthy somewhat rustic character to them as well. Antinori is wine producer that specializes in Tuscan wines and makes some of the best out there at all price points. This one is a fantastic value and would pair perfectly with a grilled pizza or a simple pasta with bolognaise sauce.