When it comes to reds for the fridge, not all wines are equal. These wines are our favourites that do some of their best work from the fridge. Chilling a wine can change how we perceive it, bumping up tannin and making fruit feel a little less ripe so when considering reds for the fridge, the wines that often do best are those with plenty of fruit, and softer tannin. Most importantly, these are all just as good without chilling.
Camillo Donati, Lambrusco Rosso, 2024, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
The classic sparkling red of Italy. Bags of cherries, raspberries and fresh blooms with a subtle herbaceous note, this wine is super juicy but with a welcome crunch of tannin that dries your mouth out and makes you go for another sip.
Domaine Mosse, 'Bangarang' Rouge, 2025, Loire Valley, France
Pineau d'Aunis may not be as famed as Cabernet Franc, but this is certainly the red grape to watch in the Loire. This epic blend of both grapes offers a crunchy, vibrant and supremely drinkable red that's perfect lightly chilled and enjoyed in the sunshine (preferably with a BBQ on the go). A whole lot of flavour in just one bottle.
Domaine de l'Accent, Una Notte, 2024, Languedoc, France
This is Grenache with just one night’s skin contact, so the colour is a pure pale cherry red and there is just enough tannin to bring a tickle of grip to this light wine. The fruit is pure and juicy, led by macerated strawberries, cherries and redcurrants. Pop this in the fridge for twenty minutes and you have red wine at its most refreshing.
Andreas Bender, Pinot Noir, 2024, Pfalz, Germany
This is a delicious aromatic Pinot Noir hailing from a single vineyard in the Pfalz, with tons of sweet red-cherry fruit a touch of spice. The Pfalz lies between the Haardt Mountains and the River Rhine in southwest Germany, just north of the Alsace. Like Alsace, the mountains protect the area from cold and wet Atlantic weather, making it one of the warmer and drier areas of Germany. This allows for wonderful ripening and lends itself well to incredibly elegant wines.
Odessos Winery, Claret, 2023, Black Sea, Bulgaria
A 'Claret' (dark rosé or light red, depending on your perspective) made from Cabernet Franc, from a single vineyard 300m above sea level. Intense red berry and green peppercorn aromas, loaded with ripe cherry and a delicate silky tannin structure on the palate. These two brothers travelled all over the world learning how to make wine before coming home and putting it into practice.
Joan d'Anguera, Les Maiols, 2023, Catalunya, Spain
This is a bit different from Joan d'Anguera's usual wines, which tend to have a fairly weighty palate and intense fruit profile. With ‘Les Maiols’, wine-making brothers Joan and Josep have made an ethereal style of Garnacha that reminds us of good Gamay. Perfumed, crunchy and beautifully floral this is made from the Anguera family’s younger vines.
