by Rose Murray Brown MW      Published in The Scotsman 19 July 2014

If you prefer red wines to white wines, you do not have to stop drinking them in the summer heat.  The ideal reds for summer quaffing are thinner skinned, less tannic, lighter in weight with a refreshing twist of acidity.  Some grapes like Cabernet Franc and Gamay even benefit from a slight chilling in the fridge to make them even more refreshing.

Here is my pick of the Top Ten tangiest juiciest summer reds.  You will notice that the majority come from the Old World as their mouthwateringly refreshing high acidity is crucial if you are going to enjoy drinking red wine on a steamy summer evening.

PINOT NOIR
Chile: TIERRA DE CORAZON PINOT NOIR RESERVA 2013
(£9.99 Virgin Wines)
Oooh that is good – said our tasters in tandem.  Juicy, soft, sweet cherry fruits, a touch of vanilla oak and delicate light fruits on the palate despite its high alcohol.  Even better when served very slightly chilled.  From the team at Indomita in Casablanca, a popular wine region east of Santiago which benefits from cooling sea breezes from the Pacific just 20 km away.  Pretty good for Pinot Noir under a tenner. 13.5%   STAR BUY

CABERNET FRANC
France:  CHINON L’ARPENTY 2012
(£13.25 Yapp Brothers www.yapp.co.uk)
Cabernet Franc is a brilliant grape for summer drinking.  No oak used here, just pure crunchy juicy red berry fruits with a velvet smooth palate.  It has a bite of acidity, which I rather enjoy in a summer red – locally in the beautiful town of Chinon south of river Loire, it is served with platters of goats cheese – but it would go with any charcuterie. 12.5%

CABERNET FRANC
France:  SAUMUR ROUGE LES NIVIERES 2012
(£6.99 reduced from £8.99 at Waitrose)
We might think of Saumur as a sparkling appellation, but its reds grown on sand and limestone soils around the town have been popular in the UK since 1194.  With its characteristically high natural acidity and gripping finish, it has a nippie sweetie feel to it which works well as a refreshing summer red.  Difficult to find good value Saumur rouge which is not very austere and lean.  Serve this slightly chilled to show it at its best.  13%

GAMAY
France:  MOULIN A VENT SEDUCTION 2003 Paul Janin
(£14.99 Raeburn Fine Wines, Edinburgh)
A real treat for the Beaujolais lover.  Moulin a Vent is the most majestic and powerful of the Beaujolais Cru and needs time to show its colours as it turns more Pinot Noir-like with age.  This example from the steamy hot 2003 vintage is immense value with lush very ripe fruits.  Snap it up whilst you can. 13%

GRENACHE
Spain:  ASDA EXTRA SPECIAL OLD VINE GARNACHA 2012
(£5 Asda online)
Brilliant value at a fiver – from little known Carinena region mid-way between Rioja and Penedes in north east Spain.  There are plenty of knarled old Garnacha vines here making good solid great value reds.  This is particularly soft plummy fruits with supple tannins, suit those who usually drink New World wines.  Perfect for a summer barbeque.  14%

BARBERA
Italy:  ARALDICA D’ARIA PIEMONTE BARBERA 2012
(£7.99 Virgin Wines)
If you are serving Italian charcuterie, this pretty Barbera makes a versatile match.  For those who like tangy reds with a savoury edge, initially bursting with raspberry and cherry fruits, low in tannin with its characteristic nippy acid finish.  Ideal for soaking up with a summer platter of salami, olives and plum tomatoes.  I also enjoyed Asda’s Extra Special Barbera d’Asti which is also great value if you can catch it on offer at £5. 13.5%

KALECIK KARASI
Turkey:  KALECIK KARASI 2011 Vinkara
(£9.50 The Wine Society www.thewinesociety.com)
If you like Pinot Noir or Gamay, give this indigenous Turkish grape a try.  This grape is named after the town of Kalecik near Ankara, where vines have grown since 3000BC.  This supple spicy liquorice flavoured light red is proof that Turkey has huge potential.  13.5%   STAR BUY

TEROLDEGO
Italy: TEROLDEGO ROTALIANO 2011 Mastri Vernacoli
(£8.49 Valvona & Crolla)
On Campo Rotaliano in Trentino, north of Lake Garda, the historic native Teroldego grape has been growing since 1480.  As grape parenting goes, DNA has discovered that Teroldego is an uncle or aunt of the famous Syrah grape.  A lively fruity red with rich black cherry fruits and refreshing natural acidity which makes it perfect for quaffing on a hot summer’s evening.  13%

LAGREIN
Italy:  SUDTIROLER LAGREIN 2012 Georg Ramoser
(£15-£17 Les Caves de Pyrene www.lescaves.co.uk; Roberson Wine www.robersonwine.com)
I adore the rich cherried fruits, plummy notes and sour twist of the Lagrein grape.  Georg Ramoser is a small producer, but makes the best Lagrein I have tasted in Alto Adige.  At its best served with locally made Speck ham (you can buy this delicious Alto Adige ham from Valvona & Crolla in Edinburgh) – enjoy!  13%

MENCIA
Spain: BREZO TINTO 2012 Bodegas Mengoba
(£9.95 www.winedirect.co.uk)
Peppery herby Galacian Mencia is a perfect summery grape.  Grown by Frenchman Gregory Perez in the mountains of Bierzo in northern Spain from old head pruned vines from the Espanillo vineyards.  Perez has also blended in Garnacha Tinta to flesh out the blend and add plumminess, which has raised the alcohol level as Mencia is usually able to achieve complexity at moderate alcohol levels.  Enjoyed locally with slow cooked goat.  14.5%

Join Rose’s Hidden Spanish wine gems & charcuterie tastings from £30 in St Andrews & Glasgow www.rosemurraybrown.com