12 Summer Red Wines Under $25

Although you might think you should only drink white wine in the warmer months, don’t neglect these 12 Summer Red Wines under $25.

My sommelier friend at Belle Meade Winery in Nashville, Tennessee, Deb Van Pelt, did the heavy-lifting for this article and provided the recommendations below. 

A note on wine glasses and heat: Most of us have all types of wine glasses, including stemless varieties. Deb recommends always drinking red and wine wines from stemmed glassware. The reason is simple. You never want your hand to warm or “cook” the wine, especially red wines. Drinking wines from a stemmed glass is essential on hot summer days. However, when you’re at the lake, beach, by the pool, or in the neighbor’s backyard, stemmed glassware may not be convenient. Regardless, enjoy your wine.

RELATED: 12 Summer White Wines Under $25

If you enjoy red wine but think it’s too heavy for your palette on a hot day, Deb suggests chilling your red wines to the same temperature as your white wines. Acquiring a wine refrigerator is recommended if you consume even a moderate amount of wine. If you don’t have a wine frig, then place a bottle of room temperature red in your kitchen refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Or, get an ice bucket and fill the bottom with ice, and only pour what you’ll drink before it gets warm! We love drinking Syrah or Beaujolais chilled in this manner.

We all have a handful of friends who would never entertain drinking red wine in the summertime? However, red wine lovers have plenty of lighter options for the warmer months.

Enjoy these 12 summer Red wines under $25

Syrah 

Gigondas (czhee gone dis) is an appellation in The Rhone area of France. One of Deb’s favorites is St. Cosme (comb). The nose on this wine is violets, cracked pepper, and blackberry, pallet changes to an earthiness. 2019 is shaping up to be a stellar vintage year, so you’ll have ample opportunity to drink them now.

Beaujolais Cru (French)

Most of us are familiar with the Beaujolais of the Nouveau style. However, Beaujolais Cru isn’t to be confused with its cousin. 

In France, there are 8 crus or best vineyard sites, and all are remarkable. Gamay is the grape, and though it’s allowed in Burgundy, it’s considered the pore stepchild of Burgundy! This is an ideal wine for pizza, so invite a few friends over and indulge. Look for Gamay or Beaujolais on the label. Popular Cru’s are:

St. Amour, Julienas, Chenas, Moulin-a-vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Regnie, Brouilly, cote de brouilly.

Agiorgitiko (ah-yore-yee-tiko) 

This wine will make you want to pack your bags and head for Greece. Agiorgitiko is grown on the Greek island of St. George, in the Nemea wine district. 

You’ll discover hints of bright cherries, blackberry, ripe strawberry, vanilla, and mild pepper. Agiorgitiko seems light until paired with the Greek delight known as Dolmades, or you can try humus of all kinds!

Chianti Classico

Although an Italian classic served as the table wine in most local Italian eateries, Chianti Classico is a step above the cheap version in a weaved straw bottle.

Like Brunello, Chianti hails from the Sangiovese grape grown in Tuscany. There are heavier expressions, but we’ll concentrate on summer with the Classico. It’s also great with pizza, burgers, or with crusty brown bread bathing in olive oil with olives…all day!

Rosso Di Montalcino

Often mentioned as the younger sibling of Brunello di Montalcino, this grape is lighter and much less expensive. Sangiovese is such a lovely, friendly grape for all kinds of wine. In the Montefalco region of Umbra, it finds perfection. This wine is made from 80% Sangiovese, while Sagrantino makes up for the rest. It’s such a big, dark grape it needs Sangiovese to round it out. You’ll probably find cherries and wild berries on the nose and palate with plenty of tannins?

Barbera di Asti

The most widely planted grape from Asti, Barbera (bar-bear-a), is in the heart of the Piedmont region of Italy. Barbera makes lively, rustic table reds and is easy to drink. Tuscany is the land of crusty brown breadsticks, beef tartare, and spaghetti with meatballs, so pair with hearty reds.

Tempranillo

In the region of Rioja (re-oh-ha), CUNE got its name from a misspelled acronym. Originally, CUNE was supposed to be CVNE or Compania Vinicola del Notre de Espana. CUNE Crianza means it spends 1 year in barrel and 1 year in the bottle. This Rioja is a great entry-level as they get expensive real quick. Look for notes of dark plum, raspberry, spice, and pepper. Throw some steaks on the grill, and everyone will be happy!!

RELATED: Wine Sommelier Deb Van Pelt Explains Wine & Food Pairings

Cahor (kuh hore) 

Cahor is actually Malbec and decidedly not Argentinian. Malbec is a French grape, and in the town of Cahor, Malbec is called Cot, or the black wine of Cahor. It’s a tiny area in France’s Middle Loire region, and now the secret is out; we can find them on most wine lists.

Cahor is soft on the palette yet highly structured. It presents inky dark in the glass, deep purple. It’s silky smooth with a long pepper finish. We love this wine with giant portabella mushrooms on the grill with garlic, olive oil, and parmesan!

Pinot Noir 

Pinot Noir’s home is in Burgundy, France. There it’s Bourgogne (boar-goan-ya) Rouge, and the best Pinot Noir on the planet. Also the most expensive!!  You can find bargains, though, and this is one of my favorite producers.

Pere et fils means father & son in the heart of Beaune and can produce reds or whites, meaning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Great beginning into Burgundy, so ask your wine store for more!

Rose’ 

If you’re a summertime Rose’ person, and I am one of those, look to the Mediterranean where the soil and weather give us the best expression of Rose’. As we’ve learned, the wines are named for the region, and my favorites are Provence (grenache, Cinsault, and syrah), a full-bodied rose.

Tavel

Since 1936 was the first AOC (wine law) in the region and hails from southern Rhone. Tavel is produced from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsaut. This wine is pink yet sturdy. 

Rose’ d’Anjou

This wine is from the Loire Valley, in the Anjou-Saumur, or the middle of the Loire valley. Rose’ d’Anjou is meant to be chilled and served immediately. It’s low in alcohol and can be made from five allowed grapes. A local grape leads the way, Grolleau, Gamay, cabernet sauvignon blanc, and cot, also known as Malbec.