Chillable Reds That Are Better Than Beaujolais
5 minutes read
Tired of rosé and whites ruling your summer glass? You’re allowed to step out of the French box. These wines are worth your attention.
If you’re looking for something with a little more depth — but still refreshing — it’s time to try light red wines for summer.
These six Austrian bottles are juicy, vibrant, and best served slightly chilled. Perfect for grilled dinners, spontaneous picnics, or just watching the sun set.
Heinrich Zweigelt 2019
Who makes it?
Gernot and Heike Heinrich are leading names in Austrian natural wine. Based in Gols, Burgenland, their winery has long embraced biodynamic farming and minimal intervention to express the authenticity of their soils.
What’s in the bottle?
A pure Zweigelt fermented with native yeasts and aged 6 months in wooden vats. No fining or filtration.
What to expect?
Bright, juicy, with red cherry and light spice. This is like a Loire Valley Cabernet Franc but with a softer, silkier edge.
Expert take:
Grown on loam and gravel near Lake Neusiedl, this Zweigelt balances ripeness with freshness. The lack of oak dominance keeps it lively and food-friendly — perfect for chillable reds.
Pair it with: Grilled sausages, ratatouille, or pizza night under the stars.
Moric Blaufränkisch Burgenland 2022
Who makes it?
Roland Velich is the mind behind Moric, a reference name for Blaufränkisch. He believes in expressing micro-terroirs with minimal manipulation and great precision.
What’s in the bottle?
100% Blaufränkisch from old vines in Burgenland. Native yeasts, concrete and wooden fermentation, with aging in barrels and foudre.
What to expect?
Juicy and elegant. Dark cherry, graphite, and a peppery lift. Think of a refined Beaujolais Morgon, but with more tension.
Expert take:
The limestone and slate soils bring structure and minerality, while careful extraction enhances purity. A textbook example of how Austrian reds can be both graceful and serious.
Pair it with: Roast duck, lentil salad, or even grilled tuna.
Heinrich Blaufränkisch 2019
Who makes it?
The Heinrichs again — this time focusing on Blaufränkisch. Their holistic approach means every decision in the vineyard and cellar is guided by biodiversity and balance.
What’s in the bottle?
Grapes grown biodynamically, fermented spontaneously, aged in oak barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration.
What to expect?
Dark fruit, spice, and a cool herbal backbone. Like a northern RhĂ´ne Syrah without the weight.
Expert take:
Soils rich in limestone and schist provide a mineral spine. The lake’s proximity adds gentle warmth that ripens the tannins beautifully, while the unfiltered style keeps the wine vibrant.
Pair it with: Grilled mushrooms, lamb skewers, or aged cheese.
Claus Preisinger Kalkestein Blaufränkisch 2023
Who makes it?
Claus Preisinger is one of Austria’s most dynamic winemakers. He combines rigorous biodynamic farming with a modern, elegant aesthetic.
What’s in the bottle?
Blaufränkisch grown on limestone-rich soils (“Kalkestein” means limestone), fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in old wood. Bottled unfiltered.
What to expect?
Sour cherry, violet, and smoky minerality. Like a CĂ´te de Beaune red with a wild soul.
Expert take:
The marine fossil limestone adds precision and salinity, while Claus’s light touch preserves tension and energy. The wine’s freshness makes it ideal slightly chilled.
Pair it with: Tomato-based pasta, grilled eggplant, or roast chicken.
Puszta Libre! 2023 (Claus Preisinger)
Who makes it?
Another gem from Preisinger, but here he plays with the idea of a joyful, everyday red. The bottle even has a crown cap — a wink to its fun personality.
What’s in the bottle?
A blend of Zweigelt and St. Laurent grown biodynamically. Carbonic maceration for lift, then aged in steel and bottled with minimal sulfur.
What to expect?
Bright, crunchy, glou-glou red. Redcurrant, raspberry, a bit wild. Like a chilled Gamay from Touraine.
Expert take:
Carbonic maceration emphasizes fruit and reduces tannin. The gravelly soils and low extraction keep this fresh and gulpable — summer picnic magic.
Pair it with: Charcuterie, watermelon salad, or a beach sunset.
Judith Beck Blaufränkisch 2023
Who makes it?
Judith Beck is a pioneer of natural wine in Austria. She farms 15 hectares biodynamically near Lake Neusiedl and makes honest, expressive wines with personality.
What’s in the bottle?
100% Blaufränkisch, fermented with indigenous yeasts, aged in oak and bottled unfiltered with little sulfur.
What to expect?
Silky, slightly smoky, with wild berries and soft tannins. Like a Pinot Noir with Austrian structure.
Expert take:
The gravel and loamy soils give softness and breadth. Her light touch in the cellar makes this a perfect intro to natural reds — subtle yet vivid.
Pair it with: Roast vegetables, veggie burgers, or grilled halloumi.
Ready for an Austrian summer?
Don’t wait until September to fall in love with red again. These 6 bottles are made for chillable evenings, spontaneous dinners, and summer joy.
Grab one now (or all six) and let me know your favorite.
These reds are made for real life — relaxed, generous, and full of personality. And they just happen to love a little chill.
Let me know which one you try first — and don’t forget to bring a bottle to your next dinner invite.
These 6 bottles make a perfect summer tasting case — refreshing reds you’ll want to chill and share.
Et non, les rouges ne sont pas réservés à l’hiver
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