10 Light-Bodied Red Wines That Are Perfectly Chillable

 

Light-bodied red wines are an underrated gem, especially when chilled. These wines, typically lower in tannins and alcohol, offer a refreshing and vibrant drinking experience, perfect for warm weather or casual gatherings.

From Pinot Noir to Gamay, light-bodied reds can showcase a range of delicate fruit flavors, earthy notes, and crisp acidity that make them ideal candidates for a quick chill, any time of year.

In this wine 101 blog, we'll explore some of the best light-bodied reds that not only thrive with a slight chill but also provide a fresh twist on traditional red wine enjoyment. But first, we’re diving into what we’re referring to when we describe a wine’s “body” and what a light-bodied red actually is.

I’ve also included the ideal serving temperatures for red wines, some food pairing ideas for light reds, tips on how to find the best chillable reds, and bottles that are perfect for any occasion.

By the way, if you love exploring new grape varieties, you’d have a blast in my Wine Tasting Club. We meet up virtually every month to taste new wines together and learn from the winemakers themselves. You can also book a private virtual or in-person wine tasting with me here for your next event.

10 Light-Bodied Red Wines That Are Perfectly Chillable

Whether you’re a red wine drinker looking to cool down in the warmer months, or you’re a white wine lover hoping to explore the world of red wine, these ten light reds are sure to please any palate.

In this post, I’m breaking down what the “body” of a wine means, what makes a red wine chillable, and sharing some ideal serving temperatures for your red wine, year-round.

Keep reading to discover 10 light-bodied red wines, food pairings, and bottles to try.

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What makes a red wine chillable?

First, let’s dive into some wine 101 and talk about what kind of red wines you should be putting in the fridge.

There are plenty of factors that can contribute to making a red wine chillable, but I would say the most notable descriptors are: light-bodied, high acidity, low tannins, and low alcohol content. If a wine falls into a few of these categories, you’ll most likely enjoy it with a nice chill. 

Let’s dive into a quick background on the structure of wine and what it means when we describe the wine’s “body”. Then we’ll get into some good light bodied red wines to carry you through the end of summer and beyond.

What does “body” refer to when it comes to wine?

When referring to a wine’s structure, you should know five key elements: sweetness, acidity, alcohol, tannins, and body. For the purpose of this post, we’re going to explore the body, but you can read about the others along with how to properly taste wine in this post. 

The body of a wine refers to its weight or viscosity. For an easy comparison, I like to think about different textures of milk and the consistency of fat free milk, 2% milk, and heavy cream, and the way they each coat your mouth differently.

Now, let’s apply that to wine. For example, a light-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc has much less viscosity, or weight, on the palate than a full-bodied white wine like an oaked Chardonnay. 

The same goes for red wines - a light-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir will feel much lighter on your palate than a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon. 

So, what does light bodied red wine mean?

This phrase is used to describe a red wine that is light in its viscosity and doesn’t feel too heavy on the palate. Lighter bodied reds often have higher acidity levels and lower tannins, making them more refreshing and easy-drinking than fuller reds. 

Understanding the body of a wine is key when it comes to getting to know your palate and preferences. Do you like something lighter and more refreshing, or would you prefer a wine that’s heftier with more intensity? Maybe it depends on the setting, season, or food pairing, and that’s totally okay too!

Here, we’re exploring some of the best light-bodied red wines that are perfect for any occasion - from backyard BBQs and beach days to casual wine nights and Thanksgiving dinner. 

light bodied red wines

Did you know the color and tannins of a red wine come from the grape skins? Lighter colored, thin-skinned grape varieties often produce lighter red wines that can be delicious when served chilled.

What red wines can be served chilled?

As a general rule of thumb in most households, red wines are often served at “room temperature”, while white wines are served chilled. Wine study books will tell you the ideal temperature for a red wine is about 60° F.

However, since there are so many varieties of red wine out there, serving temperature is a lot more nuanced than that. Use this simple guide for the best red wine serving temperatures: 

  • Light and medium red wines: 55-60° F

  • Full red wines: 60-64° F

Pro tip: If you don’t have a wine fridge to bring your bottle to the perfect temperature, try placing your reds in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving to get them to the ideal cellar temperature. 

Frankly, I think most restaurants serve their red wines too warm and every wine can benefit from at least a slight chill. 

To take this even further, there are many red wines that can be chilled down even more and served at a similar temperature to white wines. It doesn’t take much overthinking, just explore the red wine varieties mentioned below and try chilling them fully, like you would any white wine.

Note: Lowering the serving temperature of wine does take away some ability to taste subtle tasting notes and aromas. If you’re tasting a wine for education or if it’s a special bottle with unique tasting notes you’d like to fully explore, I’d recommend using the “proper” serving temperatures listed above. 

But ultimately, wine is meant for your enjoyment and you can serve it however you like. I especially like to chill my red wines during hot days, or when I’m pairing them with meals that need a cold, refreshing palate cleanser. 

So let’s dive into the best light red wines to chill. 

What is a light red wine? 

Below is a list of light bodied red wines that are refreshing and fruit-forward. Most of these red varieties are full of red fruit flavors and aromas, like cherries, raspberries, and pomegranate. They also have higher acidity and lower tannins than other reds, making them perfectly chillable. 

1. Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is the princess of wine varieties. It’s tough to grow, and even tougher to produce into quality wine. For this reason, Pinot tends to be pricier than other common varieties, but with its notes of red fruits, floral aromas, and smooth tannins, a good quality Pinot Noir is so worth it. A notable choice from Sonoma County's Windsor is the 2017 Estate Pinot Noir from Bricoleur Vineyards, which beautifully embodies these traits with a smooth, layered palate of cranberry, subtle vanilla from oak, and a lingering finish.

Food pairings: Mushroom pizza, grilled salmon, gruyere, or anything involving truffle. 

Pinot Noirs to try:

2. Grenache 

Grenache is such an underrated gem and frankly, one of my favorite red wines of all time. It’s originally from France, and it thrives in Spain, but my go-to expressions are from California - they’re light and extra fruity with notes of red strawberries, bing cherries, and white pepper. With low tannins, Grenache is an ideal red wine for chilling. 

Food pairings: Slow cooker recipes like braised meats or stews, brie cheese, takeout Thai food

Grenaches to try:

3. Gamay 

Gamay is the most important grape in France’s region of Beaujolais, where it’s produced into light red wines with plenty of red fruit aromas, dried florals, and sweet baking spices. Whether French or new world, Gamay is always light, with minimal tannins and often low alcohol. 

Food pairings: Thanksgiving food, grilled fish, smoked meats, soft cheeses and charcuterie 

Gamays to try:

4. Cinsault

Cinsault (pronounced “san-so”) is often used as a blending grape in France’s southern region of Languedoc, but its single varietal expressions are light, fruit-forward, and incredibly crushable. California produces some of the best Cinsault wines in the region of Lodi, where the vines are older and can contribute to more complexity in the wine. 

Food pairings: Anything grilled, red sauce pastas, light snacks and apps 

Cinsaults to try:

5. Zweigelt

This Austrian grape is less common than the others listed here, but if you can find a Zweigelt, try it and chill it. It’s a hybrid of St. Laurent and Blaufrankish (two reds you can also chill), and it has notes of crunchy forest berries complemented by juicy acidity.

Food pairings: Chicken schnitzel, sausages, soups or stews

Zweigelts to try: 

6. Dolcetto

With its name translating to “little sweet one”, Dolcetto is ironically not a sweet wine, but this Italian grape makes for fruity reds that are perfect for pairing with pizza. They aren’t meant to age for long, so you can enjoy a youthful Dolcetto with notes of red cherries and dried Italian herbs. 

Food pairings: Pizza, red sauce pastas, Italian cheeses and charcuterie meats

Dolcettos to try:

7. trousseau

This French variety hails from the northeastern region of Jura, where it produces light-bodied red wines with great acidity, spices, and red fruits. Trousseau now grows in Spain and Portugal, and expressions from California are ultra thirst-quenching. 

Food pairings: Smoked meats, burgers, hard cheeses

Trousseaus to try:

8. País / Mission

One of the only native grapes to California, Mission was initially used to make sacramental wine for the Catholic Church, and it was also seen as an everyday sipper. Today, it thrives in Chile, where it’s referred to as País and produces wines with notes of cherries, anise, and dried herbs.

Food pairings: Mushrooms, grilled meats or veggies, enchiladas 

País/Missions to try:

9. Nebbiolo

Another personal favorite of mine, Nebbiolo is the famous grape used to make some of the greats of Italy, Barolo and Barbaresco. While I wouldn’t recommend completely chilling down these expensive wines, I do recommend seeking out a Langhe Nebbiolo and serving it colder. Langhe is a region just near Barolo and Barbaresco, but it’s not classified with the same prestige and doesn’t have the same lengthy aging requirements, so you can find some excellent expressions of Nebbiolo here for a fraction of the price. 

Food pairings: Truffles, pastas, pizza, salami

Nebbiolos to try:

10. Lambrusco

This sparkling red wine is a hidden gem of Northern Italy. Lambrusco is made from local grape varieties and can range in style from sweet to dry, so there’s truly something for every palate here. 

Food pairings: Basically anything! Spicy foods, Italian meats and cheeses, grilled meats, BBQ

Lambruscos to try:

More tips for finding light red wines you can chill

There are, of course, plenty of other red wines that can taste delicious with a chill. Use these tips to find the best chillable reds next time you’re at the wine shop.

  1. Look for the term “carbonic”

    If a wine says it’s “carbonic”, it doesn’t mean it’s sparkling. Carbonic maceration is a winemaking process that makes wine fruity and light. It’s often used to produce the wines of Beaujolais, but there are plenty of new world regions (i.e. California, Oregon, Australia, etc.) using this technique to craft deliciously light, fruity, and refreshing red wines. 

  2. Seek out lower alcohol content

    If the wine is lower in alcohol, chances are it’ll taste good chilled. Standard alcohol levels for red wine can be around 13.5-15%, depending on where the bottle is from. If you find a red on the lower spectrum of alcohol, try chilling it to make it even more refreshing.

  3. Follow your own journey

    Technically, you can chill any red wine you desire. Don’t worry about what’s “right” and just enjoy wine the way you like it - this is your journey!

I hope this guide to light-bodied, chillable red wines inspires you to break out of your wine comfort zone and taste some new varieties. 

If you enjoyed this post, you might like this one about sulfites in wine and the truth about what’s actually causing your red wine headaches.

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