Cool customers: The top red wines to chill

From a cool vintage on the south-facing Clayhill vineyard in Essex, this is a more ethereal approach for the Battersea-based urban winery's signature Pinot Noir. Freshly picked hawthorn berry, raspberry and a hint of cedar. A lightweight palate of juicy red berries seasoned with sweet herbs, well balanced and delicate with a soft tannic grip. An elegant, refined summer drink.

Red Sancerre is a classic choice when it comes to reds to serve slightly chilled. This one, made by a small family domaine based in Bué, is quite generous in style – a character of the 2019 vintage – and seduces with ripe raspberry and blueberry fruit. There's an attractive chalkiness to it too, and the structure to handle food. Textbook.

<p>Loved this new addition to the Tesco line-up, great value. A perfect red for summer drinking, this is 100% Cabernet Franc. There's a slight purple tinge in the glass, and then a waft of raspberry and summer fruit when you swirl. It's not all about fruit though – Cabernet Franc often displays a crunchy, peppery, leafy note, and you find that here, keeping it fresh and lively. The perfect summer mouthful, and just 12.5% alcohol. You could chill it slightly – just 15 minutes in the fridge – to make it even more refreshing on a warm day. Would be lovely with charcuterie.</p>

A chillable Rioja? Yes indeed. Artuke’s semi-carbonic Tempranillo (co-fermented with 5% Viura) is pure joy in a glass, with palate-cleansing freshness, cheeky elegance and subtle rusticity. Slightly chilled it shows lively zestiness (blood orange and pink grapefruit). Delicious chalky tannins frame the pomegranate, wild strawberry and red apple peel flavours.

This fun, friendly Pinot is superb value for the quality. Made in a very 'lo-fi' manner, the whole-bunch fruit delivers delicious sappy freshness and the crisp acidity, gentle oak tannins and ripe summer pudding fruit flavours lend themselves perfectly to a light chill before serving.

It's generally best not to chill very tannic reds as the tannins can become astringent and accentuated; however, a certain amount of structure provides crunchiness and texture. This Italian red made from the Freisa grape falls into that category – full of juicy cherry and strawberry flavours, bitter plum skin notes and a tactile mouthfeel make for refreshing, mouthwatering drinking.

This bright, juicy Garnacha Tinta (with 5% Garnacha Blanca) is lovely to serve slightly chilled alongside platters of charcuterie at a picnic. Named after El Garbi, the warm African wind that blows through the vineyard in cool Terra Alta, it's packed with vibrant cherry fruit, dusted with spice. Fresh acidity balances the soft tannins for a crisp finish.

Vernatsch (aka Schiava) is a versatile, lighter red, with gentle tannins and supple red fruits – perfect for chilling. This example takes grapes from old vines in the estate's best plots at 450 metres above sea level, vinfies them in stainless steel then matures the wine in large oak barrels for five months. Fresh cherry and strawberry scents rise from the glass, with a delicious and distinctive amaro and herbal bitters character. Yum.

The Mandilaria grape has thick skins but surprisingly is usually light bodied in nature, as here. Cherry red in the glass, this is brimful of sour cherry, redcurrant fruit, some violet florality, a sprinkling of herbs and a sappy freshness. Chill this one just briefly, and enjoy with simply grilled lamb chops.

Bordeaux might not scream chillable reds, but this zero-sulphite cuvée is full of bright, crunchy and juicy red and black fruit with a medium body and a long-lasting minty and softly peppery finish. This is a great option to put in the fridge for half an hour before serving as an easy-to-drink apéritif, perfect for a sunny picnic or to pair with barbecued meat.

From a family-run vineyard in Valpolicella's Marcellise valley, this juicy red can be chilled down for drinking on hot days. The fruity nose of cherries, strawberries and raspberries leads to a fresh, soft palate with lovely purity of cherry fruit and a touch of herbaceousness on the finish.

From Valli Unite, the Piedmontese cooperative renowned for its sustainability practices, comes this delicious, characterful vino da tavola, a blend of Croatina, Dolcetto and Barbera, with a dash of Cortese. Crunchy red fruit and refreshing zestiness are underpinned by floral nuances and white orchard fruit. Juicy, fun but not without complexity, with earthy touches of Mediterranean herbs and barnyard.

Sourced from 60-year-old vines from three vineyards, this light-hearted, unoaked red showcases the unique character of Mandilaria, an indigenous grape from the Greek islands. A candied nose and palate of cranberry jam and rose petal preserve, with excellent freshness and a touch of tannin. The juicy, concentrated red berry fruits, when lightly chilled, makes a cheerful, topical choice for your summer picnic.

New to Sainsbury's for summer, this bright, juicy Cinsault is great value for money and perfect to enjoy chilled on sunny days. Cold-fermented to preserve colour and flavour, it's packed with cherry and strawberry fruit. Gentle oak influence adds spice and structure to the soft palate. JS

A bright, youthful, unoaked red blend. Red cherry and strawberry candy on the nose, with spiced dark plum accents on the palate. Nothing too complicated but joyfully balanced. The subtle grip won't get too loud, even when chilled, but the fruit will certainly impress the crowd.

Even after being chilled, the ripe dark plum and cherry compote notes leap from the glass, seasoned with rose petal jam. Soft and juicy, with a fine touch of tannin. Simple but pleasantly balanced by a hint of sweetness. A crowd-pleasing red, perfect for picnic quaffing.