How to serve red wine when it’s hot outside

When summer heat arrives, many wine lovers instinctively reach for white or rosé. But here’s a secret: red wine can be just as enjoyable if you serve it right.

At Château Canon Chaigneau, we’re passionate about making sure our reds shine all year, even in the warmest months.

Temperature Tips

The biggest mistake? Serving red wine too warm.

In summer, we recommend:

• Lighter reds (like Cuve 8a 2022) → serve at 14–16°C

• More structured reds (like Grand Vin 2018) → serve at 16–18°C

Don’t hesitate to pop the bottle in the fridge for 20–30 minutes before serving.
It won’t dull the flavors, on the contrary, it will highlight the freshness and balance.

Pairing ideas for Summer

Choose dishes that respect the wine’s profile:

• Grilled vegetables, ratatouille, stuffed peppers → Cuve 8a

• Roasted chicken, grilled lamb chops, mushroom skewers → Grand Vin

• Charcuterie, hard cheeses, or lentil salads → both work beautifully

Avoid heavy stews or rich sauces, keep it light and seasonal.

Glassware & serving

Use tulip-shaped glasses to concentrate aromas.
Pour smaller amounts and top up more often, the wine will stay cooler in the glass.
Keep the bottle in a cool place or an ice bucket (yes, even for reds!) with just water, no ice, if needed.

Why we love Summer reds

At Canon Chaigneau, our reds are crafted with balance and freshness in mind.
The Merlot-led Cuve 8a, aged only in concrete, is particularly vibrant and juicy, a perfect example of how Bordeaux doesn’t have to be heavy.

Even our Grand Vin, with its subtle oak, shows elegance over power, making it a lovely companion for summer evenings.

Final tip

Forget the rules that say red wine is only for winter.
With the right temperature and pairings, it’s a summer star waiting to shine.

Discover our selection here and experiment — because the best wine is the one you enjoy, whatever the season.