Some people drink wine seasonally. So, whites and rosés are enjoyed in the summer, while the reds are reserved for the autumn and winter. But what if you only like red? Are you supposed to have a dry summer before going back to the wine rack? Definitely not.
The first thing to remember is that it’s perfectly acceptable to drink your favourite style of wine all the time. If you like big, tannic reds, pour yourself a large glass and enjoy.
However, a big red can come across quite heady in the heat and sometimes you’ll want something slightly more thirst-quenching. You can choose a lighter red without compromising on flavour, and some of them even benefit from being lightly chilled.
The grapes to look out for are Gamay, Pinot Noir, Dolcetto, Sangiovese, an unoaked Tempranillo (look for ‘Joven’ on the label), or you could even try a sparkling Shiraz from Australia.
Gamay is the fruitiest of fruity grapes and it makes wonderfully approachable wines in the Beaujolais region of France. This is a lovely lunchtime wine, and I would stick it in the fridge for twenty minutes before serving.
Rift 69 Gamay Noir Jean Loron 2017 (Inverarity One to One, £10.99).
Pinot Noir comes in a variety of styles from earthy, farmyardy Burgundies, to fruit forward Marlboroughs, to more structured examples from the Russian River region in California. Try one of these and you’ll get all of the flavour and character without the big tannins. Perfect for a balmy Scottish summer evening.
Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir 2015 (Inverarity One to One, £17.49).
Sparkling Shiraz is a marmite wine, and there are only a few occasions when I think it really works. Firstly, and surprisingly, it’s lovely with black forest gateaux. And secondly, it’s a barbecue wine. Try a glass or two with a massive burger with bacon, cheese, pickles and lots of hot sauce.
Chocolate Box Sparkling Shiraz NV (Inverarity One to One, £ 14.99).
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