As temperatures rise, we naturally reach for cooling whites and rosés. But after a few days of pigment-light wines many of us start lusting after a red in some form.
This is the moment for red wines that can be served straight from a refrigerator, or cool cellar.
Very concentrated, heavy reds can all too easily taste sweaty and smudgy when temperatures are high. Tannins, the chewy red wine preservative that dries out the insides of our cheeks, taste even more pronounced at low temperatures.
Red wines that taste best when chilled are usually relatively soft and low in tannin with enough fresh fruit or aroma to survive the chilling process that tends to diminish these aspects.
The key features of summer reds are:
o low tannin
o higher acidity
o lower alcohol
Here are some favourite chillable Greek reds:
Mavro Kalavritino 2016, Tetramythos
P.G.I. Achaia / 11.50€
The Slopes of Egialia (altitude: 600-900m), "one of the most interesting vinicultural regions in the world" (Stavroula Kourakou, honorary chairwoman of the O.I.V.) allow the local variety Mavro Kalavritino to realize its full potential, making light and fruity, easy drinking red wines like this one. Wine's delicious fruit and round flavour matches perfectly the summer and the Mediterranean cuisine.
Mountain Fish 2015, Strofilia
P.G.I. Peloponnese / 6.50€
The cool climate of mountainous village Psari (meaning Fish) in Nemea/Peloponnese gives this Agiorgitiko wine a wonderful freshness and mouth-watering juiciness to balance the acidity. The mouth-feel is velvety, smooth and long lasting. Perfect wine for everyday drinking.
Kotsifali 2015, Lyrarakis Wines
P.G.I. Crete / 5.50€
A medium-to-full-bodied wine from Alagni area in Central Crete and the local red grape Kotsifali, indisputably a classic of the island's vineyard. Red fruits with an elegant mouthfeel and a piquant aftertaste are the characteristics of the wine which is produced from vineyards situated at 500m altitude. Enjoy it together with dishes of the Mediterranean cuisine, grilled meat and spicy cheeses.
Inima Negkoska 2015, Katogi
Varietal wine/ 12.50€
From Katogi-Averof celebrated estate, Inima Negkoska is a scarlet wine coming from Northern Greece's vineyards and the rare red grape Negkoska. Aromatic on the nose with an undertow of red fruits and racy earthy notes. A good youthful, mouth-watering attack wakes up the palate and gets it ready for food. In Metsovo's local Vlach dialect Inima means 'heart'.
Notes Red 2015, Gentilini
Varietal wine/ 13.50€
Gentilini Winery in Cephalonia blends Agiorgitiko (60%) with Mavrodaphne (20%) and Syrah (20%). The result is a supple every day red that shows remarkable black cherry, black currant fruit and dusted with spicy richness. Marianna Kosmetatos -daughter of the founder of Gentilini- and her husband, Spyros Markantonatos, is the new generation that has taken over the ownership of the house.
Muscat of Tinavos 2016, Domaine Migas
P.G.I. Tirnavos / 7.00€
If you love the rose perfumed style of Muscat, snap this up. Expect masses of fresh fruit – positively explosive – and bone dry on the finish. This very attractive, refreshing red wine is a real fruit bomb, with an undertow of classic rose. Chill it slightly in the summer months and enjoy it on its own or next to pizza, pasta and Chinese delicacies!
Paranga 2016, Kir-Yianni
P.G.I. Macedonia / 8.50€
Merlot (50%), Xinomavro (25%) and Syrah (25%) from selected vineyards. This medium-to-full-bodied wine comes from Northwestern Greece and it has it all: balance, beautiful fruit (dancing cherries on your tongue) and a lovely acidity for tomato-based pasta, pizza, lasagne and sausage.
Young Tsapournakos 2016, Ktima Voyatzi
P.G.I. Velvendos / 11.00€
Tsapournakos grape of the Cabernet Franc family is the source material for this pretty, elegant, fine red white. Very aromatic, showing an expressive character of red fruit and spicy notes, the Young Tsapournakos is a refreshing wine, meant to be enjoyed fresh paired with an endless range of tasty dishes.
F- εὖ 2015, Nico Lazaridi
P.G.I. Agora / 11.80€
This Merlot - Grenache Rouge blend (85% - 15%) comes from Drama, Northern Greece. Youthful and full in the mouth, aromatic, elegant, with pleasant acidity, eloquent. A simple and easy-to-drink match to pasta, vegetarian dishes and barbeque delights.
Petritis red 2015, Chrisohoou Estate
P.G.I. Macedonia / 8.00€
This Xinomavro-Merlot blend (50%-50%) combines attractive fruit intensity with subtle savoury complexity, displaying dark cherry, plum, clove and nutmeg aromas. As a semi-dry wines it is succulent and rounded on the palate, and delivers bright fruit flavours backed by polished tannins.
