Our top Picks for Summer Chilled Reds.
Why Natural Wine and Chilling Go Hand in Hand
Natural wines—made with organic or biodynamic grapes, native yeasts, and minimal intervention—often deliver fresh, vibrant, and lively profiles. These qualities make them perfect for chilling, especially in lighter reds that favour juicy acidity over heavy tannins.
I discovered this completely by accident three summers ago at Salon des Vins Libres in Alsace, held in the stunning gardens of Le Biotop in Mittelbergheim. It was sweltering—35°C (that’s about 95°F)—and tasting wine in that heat was borderline unbearable.
Looking for shade, I wandered over to Raphaël Beysang’s stand. There he was, with his red wines dunked in a bucket full of ice. No effort to gently control the temperature—just fully chilled. They were Gamays, and they were absolutely sublime. Fruity, fresh, and bright. The chill softened the acidity and let the fruit shine. It completely changed the way I thought about red wine.
If you’ve never tried a chilled red, here are a few of our favourites you absolutely need to try. Whether you’re heading to the park, planning a picnic, or just want something different this summer, pop a bottle in the fridge ahead of time. Wrap it in a towel to keep it cool on the go.
One practical tip: choose a screw-cap bottle if you’re drinking outdoors. Corks and hills don’t mix well—especially if your bottle decides to roll away mid-sip.
Raphaël Beysang & Emélie Hurtubise - LES PALTIERES
Here he is at Salon des Vins Libres, straight from South Beaujolais—pouring his usual lineup with zero fuss. Just honest, brilliant wine from the master himself. We tasted Les Paltières, a beautiful Gamay from very old vines. It’s fruity, unfiltered, and made without added sulphites. Chilled, thanks to the heat that day, it was the perfect way to enjoy such a fresh, lively wine.
Bonus: it also comes in litre bottles—ideal for sharing. If you can’t find Les Paltières, don’t worry. Any of his other wines will do the trick—pure Gamay goodness, all perfect for summer sipping.
led by Lori Haon based in Valliguières , Gard
Also tasted at Salon du Vin Libres , , fresh and peppery , with a screw top , this one is perfect for a picnic , as the name suggests , comes in litre bottles , its a glou glou Grenache and Cinsault from young Vines. Hand picked and zero sulphates.
Françoise Paradise – Infused with 10% raspberries, this is the ultimate summer treat. The berries bring a bright, refreshing twist that’s super playful and perfect for sunny afternoons. The fruit blend changes from time to time—so depending on the batch, you might even come across more exotic additions like passion fruit. If you spot anything with tropical vibes, grab it. It’s always worth a try!
Yes, a Lambrusco—but not just any Lambrusco. This one’s a Super Natural bottle from Stefano Pescarmona. Made from Lambrusco Maestri grapes grown using biodynamic methods, it’s lightly effervescent and worlds apart from the mass-market Lambrusco once wheeled out for special occasions in 1980s UK housing estates.
This version is refined: gently fizzy, fruity with herbal notes, soft tannins, and best enjoyed well chilled. Crucially, it’s made without added sulfites.
More info: http://www.poderemagia.it
Links
https://thegrapereset.com/blog/salondesvinlibres
