Best Light Red Wine for Summer

While many of us might be tempted to reach for a glass of white wine or rosé when temperatures start rising, there’s no need to stash your reds for the chilly autumn and winter months.

Light red wines are terrific for summer, not only because of the range of styles you’ll encounter but also because many lighter reds work beautifully when slightly chilled—more on that in a minute.

Fruit is your friend when it comes to summery red wines. These berry-laden styles complement the bounty of gorgeous seasonal vegetables and fruits, classic summer dishes, and cooking methods we tend to return to from June to September.

From picnicking in the park or grilling in the backyard to catching some rays at the beach, there are many fantastic light red wines to enjoy this summer.

Shop our selection of award-winning red wines from around the world.

The Best Light Red Wines to Enjoy This Summer

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir hits all the right notes, whether you’re looking for an elegant wine to enjoy with a simple weeknight dinner or something you can pour for family and friends at your next cookout.

With so many styles of Pinot hailing from all over the winemaking world, this cool-climate grape is a safe and delicious bet for warm-weather drinking. Aim for fruitier styles from warmer regions like California, Baden in Germany, and Australia’s Adelaide Hills. Parts of Chile and New Zealand also offer similar riper styles to check out.

What goes well with Pinot Noir? It's more a question of what doesn’t go with this fruity wine. Many Pinot Noir wines have a hint of spice, making them stellar pairings with barbecued pork, duck, jam-glazed chicken, or merguez sausage. Pinot Noir also distinguishes itself as one of the few reds that play with fish. Look to fatty fish like salmon, ahi tuna, and trout.

Shop our selection of Pinot Noirs from around the world.

Gamay

Looking to pick the perfect picnic wine for lazy days in the park? Say hello to Gamay.

This French grape is one of Pinot Noir’s many offspring and shares some of its parent’s vibrant red berry, floral, and earthy notes. Low tannins and medium-high acidity yield a laid-back red sipper that's ideal with traditional picnic fare. We’re talking about chicken pasta salad, quiche Lorraine, or jambon-beurre (the French take on a ham sandwich). This is another red you can pour with fatty fish. Trust us when we say salmon pâté and a lightly chilled Gamay will knock your socks off.

Beaujolais is the world’s premier region for this lovely grape variety. Pick up entry-level Beaujolais, Beaujolais-Villages, and lighter Ccrus like the famously floral Fleurie for summer drinking. Any of these work beautifully served chilled.

Light-To-Medium Red Wines

Light-to-medium-bodied red wines like Grenache and Barbera are also excellent choices for summer sipping, as their juicy red fruit profile pairs wonderfully with grilled meats and vegetables.

Grenache

Summer is synonymous with barbecuing, and few wines are more versatile with ’cue than Grenache.

Often blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre in the southern Rhone and across Australia to create sumptuous spicy, peppery reds, Grenache is easy-drinking, versatile, and is one lighter red wine that will delight the senses when served slightly chilled on a balmy summer afternoon.

A vibrant red fruit-driven nose and palate (think strawberry, raspberry, cherry), accessible tannins, and lively acidity make Grenache, aka Garnacha in Spain, a given at cookouts. The flavors in Spanish Garnacha are barbecue’s best friend. Chicken, ribs, and steaks generously brushed with sweet-tangy are a particular favorite, especially with those tantalizing smoky notes off the grill.

Discover our range of luscious Grenache blends to pair with your next barbecue.

Barbera

This classic Italian red wine from Piedmont is another well-rounded, anytime wine to serve with an impressive variety of dishes.

As you might expect, Barbera is a natural choice for Italian flavors, but it doesn’t stop there. Proscuitto-wrapped figs? Check. Hanger steak dressed in chimichurri sauce? You bet. Barbera is a wine that's fairly low in tannins yet has high levels of acidity, which makes it highly versatile when paired with food.

Meat lover’s pizza or grilled portobello burgers? Barbera’s tart cherry to blackberry flavors and baking spice notes mean it’s a major crowd-pleaser. You’ll come across both oaked and unoaked takes. If you’d like to chill your Barbera, stick with unoaked versions.

Want a light red wine sure to please the crowd? Choose a Barbera from our selection.

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Serving Light Red Wine

Serve these light red wines at slightly cooler than room temperature—typically between 55°F and 65°F. This allows the wine’s delicate flavors and aromas to shine without being overly warm, making them refreshing choices for warmer weather or for those who prefer a lighter wine experience. You can adjust within this range based on your preference, but serving them too warm can mask their subtle nuances.

Pop these light reds in the fridge for 20 or 30 minutes before serving. A quick dip in an ice bath will do the trick, too.