Wine Trends: Why Are So Many of Us Into Light and Chillable Red Wines Right Now?

The chilled sparkling red Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro (£9.99) went down a storm on the Saturday Tasting Bench, as did the Regard d'Artiste Rouge Clair (£11.99) — either a very pale red or a very dark rosé depending on your point of view, and absolutely made for chilling.

We've also been keeping an eye out around the shop for the lighter side of red, as more and more of our visitors seek out satisfyingly fruity, food-friendly reds for dinner tables, parties and picnics.

Why Are Lighter Red Wines So Popular?

The rising outside air temperature obviously has something to do with it, but we had been in our jumpers in the shop until the heatwave hit, so that cannot be the sole explanation.

For health reasons, many of us are seeking out lower-alcohol wines — the Lambrusco above is 8% ABV rather than 12% or more for most other reds. Government duty changes have also encouraged interest: wine duty is now linked directly to alcohol strength, meaning higher-ABV wines attract significantly more tax. An 11% ABV bottle attracts duty of £3.03, whereas a 14.5% ABV bottle costs £4.00 in duty. It's little wonder we're finding refuge in lighter styles.

Less formality in dining is also a factor. We look for wines that can be enjoyed without food, or that pair well with a wider range of dishes — sharing boards with a mix of charcuterie, cheeses and antipasti. And we're simply more open to newer styles than we were decades ago. Lighter reds often come from relatively unusual grapes, offering scope for exciting new discoveries and a feeling of exclusivity without sacrificing quality.

Why Chill a Red Wine?

Lighter reds appeal to those who are sensitive to tannins and who for that reason usually only enjoy white wines. They offer a refreshing, summer-friendly option without the mouth-puckering grip of many heavier reds. At a recent tasting, one guest who never usually likes reds loved them all.

At our BBQ wines tasting we discovered that versatility is key when pairing wine with char-grilled food — you need to think about smoky, spicy and caramelised flavours as well as the acidity in side salads. A couple of very light reds served well chilled, alongside a Frappato from Sicily lightly chilled, handled everything on the table beautifully.

Lighter reds are also often an excellent match for vegan and vegetarian dishes, providing plenty of fruit and freshness without overwhelming more delicate flavours. The Mortellito Cala Niuru Frappato from Sicily (£20.00) is deliciously fruity, certified organic, vegan and vegetarian friendly — and it can be chilled too.

Younger customers are especially excited about this category, embracing unusual, innovative wines such as Groovy Mavrud (£22.49), a very light chillable red from Georgiev & Milkov of Bulgaria.

Three Styles to Discover

To explore the lighter side of red, it helps to know there are three main styles.

Sparkling reds

Clear reds and dark rosés

Lighter-bodied classic reds

Discover Your New Favourite Summer Red

Whether you're already a fan of chillable reds or simply curious to try something different, we'd be delighted to help you find a few new favourites. Pop into the shop for a chat, or browse our full range online.