Red wines without heavy tannins good summer sippers

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This article was published 09/08/2024 (764 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For us seasonal sippers — people whose wine-drinking habits change depending on the time of the year and the temperature outside — the thought of quaffing a full-bodied, tannic and overly oaky red wine in summer isn’t so appealing.

Thankfully, not all reds are created equal, meaning there are plenty of tasty options out there for those who are craving a red wine in warmer temps that don’t involve big oak, heavy tannins or searing alcohol levels.

Here are five styles of red wine that suit warmer temperatures just fine — particularly when chilled for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

Gamay/Beaujolais

Red wine made from the Gamay grape, the primary variety used in France’s Beaujolais region, show very well in warmer temperatures.

They’re typically lighter-bodied and fruit-driven, with loads of red berry notes and red licorice flavours and little to no tannin.

That lighter body and lack of grippy tannin means Gamay also is a red that shows particularly well when served modestly chilled.

Louis Jadot 2021 Combe aux Jacques Beaujolais Villages
(Beaujolais, France — $25.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

From a producer that makes wines in both Burgundy and Beaujolais comes this Gamay, bright ruby in colour and with lovely strawberry, cherry, cranberry, wild raspberry and subtle red licorice aromas.

It’s light-plus bodied and dry, brimming with red berry and cherry flavours and with secondary red licorice and bubble gum notes, virtually no tannin and a modest finish.

Try this fun, fresh red now before the end of August while it’s on sale (it’s regular $28.99). 4/5

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Pinot Noir

Like Gamay, Pinot Noir is a lighter-bodied red, made from thin-skinned grapes which typically results in lighter colour and tannins.

Flavour-wise, Pinot Noir offers more depth and complexity than its Beaujolais brethren; cool-climate examples (Burgundy, Ontario, New Zealand) are restrained and elegant, while Pinot Noir from slightly warmer regions (California, Australia) offer ripe cherry and raspberry notes along with earthier, woodsy notes.

Diora 2020 La Petite Grace Pinot Noir
(Monterey County, Calif. — $21.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Slightly darker ruby in colour than some cooler-climate Pinot Noirs, the Diora delivers plum, cherry, raspberry, earth and mocha notes aromatically.

It’s dry and light-bodied, with raspberry, cherry and plum flavours showing well along with red licorice and earthy notes before the very light tannins kick in on the medium-length finish.

On sale until the end of August (it’s regular $24.99). 3.5/5

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Big and bold but without much oak

Those who prefer more body and dark fruit flavours in their summer reds are in luck — most of the best warm-weather options out there are among the best-priced options as well.

There are plenty of examples of entry-level Argentine Malbec, California Zinfandel, Spanish Garnacha and Australian Shiraz in our market with big, bold fruit flavours but with less oak influence and more restrained tannins — ideal for sipping around a fire or with grilled fare.

Beso de Vino 2022 Garnacha Viñas Viejas
(Cariñena, Spain — $14.39, Liquor Marts and beyond)

This Spanish Garnacha features fruit from vines that are more than 40 years old; aromatically it delivers cocoa, blackberry, raspberry, plum and anise notes, which are attractive.

On the dry, medium-plus-bodied palate, the tannins are softened by cocoa and vanilla notes, while dark berry flavours show decently with ample ripeness.

A particularly good value right now, as it’s on sale (regular $15.99) until the end of August.

Drink now with medium cheeses, burgers or pizza. 3.5/5

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Cheap and cheerful Italian reds

The Italian section of your favourite Liquor Mart/private wine store is teeming with solid summer sippers, most of which won’t break the bank.

Most well-priced reds made from the Sangiovese, Negroamaro, Nero d’Avola and Primitivo grapes, or those coming from the Multepuciano d’Abruzzo, Puglia, Rubicone or Valpolicella regions, bring good concentration of fruit with a splash of acidity and little tannin and/or oak.

Luccarelli 2021 Negramaro
(Puglia, Italy — $14.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Deep garnet in colour, this Italian red made from the Negroamaro grape offers violet, blackcurrant, plum and blackberry notes on the nose, with hints of earth and spice.

It’s dry, medium-plus bodied and jammy (but not sweet), with ripe blackberry, plum and blackcurrant flavours showing well alongside subtle white pepper and spice notes from a few months of aging in older oak barrels.

It’s on sale until the end of August (regular $16.99), so try this one sooner than later. 3.5/5

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Reds that sparkle

Sticking with Italy, lambrusco wines have been enjoying a resurgence in popularity in recent times.

While long associated with the sweet and simple Riunite (which, incredibly, is still around decades later), modern lambrusco is typically made in a drier style, bringing a hint of tannin and acidity with deep dark berry notes in a sparkling wine.

The more adventurous palates out there will find plenty to like in these bold sparkling reds.

La Collina NV Rosa Luna Rosato Lambrusco
(Emilia-Romagna, Italy — around $27, private wine stores)

Think of the Rosa Luna as a “baby lambrusco” — it’s plummy pink in colour, with some savoury and herbal notes that come with tart raspberry and orange peel aromas.

It’s a dry, light-bodied and crisp sparkling wine, offering ripe cherry, crunchy red apple, orange peel and those savoury/herbal notes with medium acidity, bright effervescence and very light tannins from the red grape skins.

It’s not a full-fledged fizzy red, but is as good an entry into the style as anything.

Chill as you would any sparkling wine and enjoy. 4/5

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