AFTER Aldi’s wine expert declared ice reds their new favorite summer wine, we decided to put them to the test.
With the weather a little cooler, perhaps wine expert Sam Caporn is onto something, as we haven’t been popping the pink corks as much this summer.
Sam says: “Red wine is usually drunk at room temperature, but in warm climates, all styles of red come alive when chilled – even riper, richer wines.”
“Chilling it helps balance the alcohol and acidity, meaning Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc can all be enjoyed in summer – something our European neighbors have long embraced.”
How long should you cool it? “Treat it like a white or rosé wine and leave it in the fridge or place it in an ice bucket, removing it from the fridge 20 minutes before serving,” recommends Sam.
But what did Team Fabulous think and are we changing our sauv-blanc this summer?
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Image director Alan Gittos tested Lidl Montepulciano d’Abruzzo£4.79 – BUY NOW
I’ve always been a fan of medium-bodied Italian reds, but relaxing a Montepulciano D’Abruzzio is uncharted territory for me.
Pleasantly fruity with hints of cherry and a bit of spice, I was surprised by how (dangerously) drinkable this was.
Despite my misgivings about the temperature, I found that a slight chill made it quite refreshing for a summer night.
My only tip would be to not cool it too much, or you might kill the flavor.
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Assistant editor Claire Frost tested Co-op Irresistible La Courbe, £9 – buy here BUY NOW
I love a big glass of red on a winter’s evening, but when the sun comes out, I gravitate toward white and rosé wines as they feel more summery.
So I was really keen to try the chilled red trend to see if drinking it from the fridge would convert me.
This Co-op wine is produced in the Valais region of Switzerland, and while you might not think of the Swiss as master winemakers, a third of the country’s wine comes from this corner of the Alps, so it’s definitely not to be sniffed at.
Packed with berries and cherries, plus a hint of pepper, I loved the familiar flavors of the wine, but drinking it chilled added a refreshing tang that left me wanting more.
It looks like I’m truly converted – this is a red I’ll be drinking all year round!
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Food editor Kirsty Spence tested Von Reben Pinot Noir Pfalz 2021, £13.99 – buy here BUY NOW
I generally ditch red wine at this time of year as I find it a bit heavy in the heat – but, saying that, I’ll happily order a jug of sangria, so a chilled red should be right up my street.
I’m told this lighter German red is perfect for refreshing, as it really accentuates the bright fruits – in this case, raspberry, cherry and blackberry.
That’s what happened – but perhaps a little too much for my taste, and unless I’m on holiday in Spain, I’ll stick with a chilled glass of rose.
However, my other half only drinks red wine, so this would be absolutely perfect for him on warmer days when he wants something other than a beer.
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Writer Anna Clarke tested Quinta Do Crasto Douro Red, £15.95 – buy here BUY NOW
When you think of a classic summer drink, you don’t tend to think of red wine, but this chilled version really hits the spot—which is saying a lot considering I’m generally a rose drinker!
After a few hours in the fridge, the flavor was much lighter than most typical reds, and its smooth fruitiness didn’t threaten to overpower the palate.
With notes of ripe cherries and plums and no tanginess, I’ll definitely be picking up a bottle to take to the next backyard barbecue.
It won’t replace my rose, but it’s a good alternative.
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Senior digital writer Josie O’Brien tested Altano Rewilding Douro Tinto 2021, £10.50 – buy here BUY NOW
I’m typically a merlot drinker, as I like my wine to taste like rich red fruits – but this fresh but fruity Portuguese Douro didn’t disappoint.
There was none of that fiery acidity that you sometimes get with cheaper wines – perhaps even drinking them chilled!
This is exactly the kind of wine I like to drink after dinner, as it’s sweet enough to feel delicious.
I imagine it would also pair well with charcuterie boards and pasta dishes, so I’ll do some research this summer…
How to Save Money at Your Grocery Store
THERE ARE lots of ways to save on your groceries.
You can look for yellow or red stickers on products that show when they have been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you will have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make hasty purchases when you get to the grocery store.
Buying your own brand can also be an easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills.
This means abandoning “better” or “luxury” products and instead opting for “premier” or value-type lines.
Many supermarkets run unstable vegetable and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they are misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not program, offering 5kg boxes of fruit and veg for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and are a parent, you could get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Additionally, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Families Support Fund.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
