What is the smoothest drinking red wine?

Smoothness in red wine is often attributed to factors like tannin levels, acidity, and the aging process. Tannins, which come from grape skins, seeds, and oak barrels, can make a wine taste harsh if they’re too pronounced. Wines with softer tannins are perceived as smoother because they create a less astringent mouthfeel. Acidity also plays a crucial role. Lower acidity levels contribute to a rounder, more mellow taste, enhancing the wine’s overall smoothness. The aging process, whether in oak barrels or in the bottle, allows tannins to soften over time, resulting in a more polished wine. Moreover, winemaking techniques such as malolactic fermentation can transform sharper malic acids into creamier lactic acids, adding to the wine’s silky texture. Certain grape varieties are renowned for producing exceptionally smooth red wines. Pinot Noir is a prime example, offering light to medium body with soft tannins and flavors of red fruits and earthiness. Merlot is another variety celebrated for its plush texture and approachable character.

My usual go-tos though are light reds like Beaujolais, pinot noir and cabernet franc-based wines from the Loire region of France but follow the ‘chill it down’ rule and it massively increases your options. Other good value for money reds that tick the summer drinking box are Mencia from northern Spain, Austria’s Zweigelt and Frappato, Marzemino and Refosco from Italy - many Italian reds are made in a lighter style. Or - slightly pricier - Etna reds, Poulsard and Trousseau from the Jura and, of course, English reds, What you want to avoid, I would suggest, are mature oaky wines like old Bordeaux or gran reserva riojas as they lack the freshness to go with summer food. You can even - if your wine’s not too grand - pop an ice cube in your glass. Even what I refer to as ‘jammy’ reds - wines with a comparatively high level of residual sugar - taste better when they’re cooled down a bit. I recently went to a tasting of pinotage, South Africa’s signature grape variety (a cross between pinot noir and cinsault) where all the wines were served cool and it really helped to reduce the sensation of alcohol. 10 of the best value summer reds