5 Lighter Red Wines for Summer Sipping

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Lighter-bodied red wines are the perfect food wine, often exhibiting less mouth-drying tannin and color extraction, forward fruit and easy access to acidity and typically lighter streams of alcohol. They are also a favorite for those just getting into the wide world of wine that are ready to tackle the heftier palate presence of a red without diving deep into concentrated, tannic beasts. Rarely, are lighter-styled red wines in great demand (unless of course we are talking Burgundy, but that's its own category), so these red wine gems generally fall into the happy connoisseur's under $20 category.

1. Gamay 

The queen of light-styled red wines and the perfect picnic wine to boot, Gamay-based wines find their famous footing in Beaujolais, sitting pretty near the southern tip of Burgundy. However, this versatile, early-drinking red wine has found favor in numerous New World locales as well. 

Flavors: Cheeky cherry and often earthy undertones mark Beaujolais (place name) though New World Gamay usually shows more bright strawberry mixed with raspberry and cherry nuances. Serving it chilled shows more vibrant fruit character.

Producers to Try: Georges Duboeuf, Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages, Martian Winery, V. Sattui

2. Zweigelt

Austria's renowned red wine grape that stems as a stealthy hybrid of St. Laurent and Blaufrankish (also called Lemberger), Zweigelt is rich, round and soft on the palate. Lighter levels of acidity tend to steer blending grapes towards Zweigelt, to give it a little more palate pep. 

Flavors: Blackberry, cherry some anise along with a swirl of black pepper, dominate the palate profile of most Austrian Zweigelt.

Good with all things goulash!

Producers to Try: Heinrich, Winzerkeller Andau, Zantho, Zvy-gelt

3. Lambrusco 

From northern Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, Lambrusco is a low alcohol, spritzy sparkling red wine that can range from completely dry to semi-sweet. A delight with the local parmesan and salami, Lambrusco is built on the back of over a dozen indigenous grapes. Another great picnic wine.

Flavors: Fruity, raspberries, strawberries, and cherry with some flower themes running from start to finish, Lambrusco is bright and happy, with fruit way forward. 

Producers to Try: Barbolini, Ca de Medici, Cleto Chiarli, Medici, Mionetto

4. Tempranillo

While not necessarily considered "light" in the Reserva and Grand Reserva levels, many Crianzas from Rioja come across with softer tannins, more fruit and spice and well-integrated oak. Almost like a spicy Pinot Noir, Tempranillo is a versatile, food-friendly grape that delights a wide range of palate preferences. 

Flavors: Blackberries, dark cherry, blueberries, cocoa and mocha notes with earth-driven herbal notes and smoky spice, there's a lot happening in Rioja Tempranillo. 

Producers to Try: Bodegas Casa Juan Señor de Lesmos, Bodegas Puelles, Campo Viejo, CVNE, Vina Bujanda, Vina Zaco

5. Pinot Noir

It can't be helped. Pinot Noir is one of the hardest, most fickle and demanding grapes to grow and as such a high-maintenance, albeit glorious grape, it typically commands higher prices per bottle. However, since we're talking about lighter-bodied red wines, this particular grape is known (and grown) for its rich silky tannins and smooth-talking palate profile. The hallmark grape of Burgundy and creating serious vineyard space in Oregon and, more recently, New Zealand, Pinot Noir is probably the best red wine for pairing with an incredible array of food. Versatile, delicious and pricey, Pinot Noir is an unforgettable red wine grape. 

Flavors: Red cherry, black cherry, currants, coffee and some earthy, herbal undertones (especially from Burgundy), Pinot Noir brings plenty of intrigue to the glass. 

Producers to Try: A to Z, Adelsheim, Albert Bichot, Angeline, Bethel Heights, Domaine Faiveley, Joseph Drouhin, Louis Jadot, MacMurray Ranch, Meiomi, Schug

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