CHILLABLE RED WINES

Chillable red wine is a growing category not only in the Natural Wine department, but also in the rest of the store as well. But what makes a red wine “chillable”? Can’t you put any red wine in the fridge and chill it down? Yes, you could, but not all wines will benefit from it. Bigger, bolder reds actually lose flavor when chilled, while reds with higher acidity, more “tart fruit” characteristics, are assisted by being put into the fridge before being enjoyed. While there is no exact science to when a wine should be chilled or not, there’s a sense when a chill is needed. Now if that’s not a Natural Wine sentence, I don’t know what is.

With warmer weather lasting longer throughout the year, a chillable red can also be a haven for red wine fans when it’s over 80 degrees outside. You still get your rich dark fruit flavors, while getting some refreshment from it. Think of it like a rose with more body. Most roses are made from red grapes with a small amount of skin contact during fermentation. Chillable reds just have more time with their skins but could be treated just like a rose. Here are some of my favorite chillable red wines we currently have in stock.

2023 Broc Negroamaro, Mendocino.

All the grapes for this wine come from the Fox Hill Vineyard. Rich blueberries, blackberries coat the palate up front. There’s a note similar to drinking a cherry lemonade, dark fruit with some lemon freshness. Mild tannins lead to hints of candied fruit on the finish.

2021 Breaking Bread Grenache, Redwood Valley, Mendocino.

This wine was fermented whole cluster and aged in neutral oak for 7 months. Savory olive characteristics up front bring out some surprising tannins. Stewed strawberries and black cherries add richness and depth. Delicate notes of tomato leaves pull out plum fruit and more black cherry flavors.

United Cellars of Tekov Cherry on Tuff, Slovakia.

100% Cabernet from Slovakia, who’d have thought?! This wine is very properly named, notes of candied cherries pair with fresh black cherries. Good acidity throughout, delicate tannins lead to more cherry fruit on the finish.

United Cellars of Tekov, Kind of Glou, Slovakia.

This wine is made with 100% Neronet, a grape that is a crossing from Czechia of St. Laurent, Blauer Portugieser and Alibernet. This wine takes you on a journey, you start out with some richness from notes of blueberries and then take a turn to savory town with hints of black olives. Next you get hit with a vibrant pop of grapefruit that leads to a combination of blueberries and strawberries.

2022 Weinreich Heiter Bis Wolkig, Bechtheim, Germany.

A 50/50 cofermented blend of Dornfelder and Kerner, which has some skin-contact maceration, this is not the funky, earthy red wine that it was last vintage. Bright pomegranate fruit leads to notes of orange blossom and candied cherries. Hints of dried herbs create a savory component and brings out notes of plums and additional dark fruit on the finish. A nice chillable red.