Alternative Summer Reds – 12 Bottle Case O’Brien’s Wine Off Licence

Summer has finally arrived, and we naturally move our preferences towards lighter wines during the warmer months. But this does not have to mean a break from reds- there are plenty of red wines that suit being chilled slightly and enjoyed on a warm day, eating al fresco.
These lighter reds tend to come from cooler wine regions of the world, have moderate tannins and alcohol and juicy, crunchy red berry fruit flavours. We asked the O’Briens Wine Team to put together a case of their favourite Alternative Summer Red Wines.
We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

In this case, you will receive two bottles of each of the following wines:
1. Langlois- Château, Saumur-Champigny Loire Valley France
The Loire Valley may be more associated with white wines, but red wines from the region are also worth exploring. This wine is made from the Cabernet Franc grape variety at Langlois- Château, an estate owned by Champagne Bollinger, who have invested heavily in the vineyards and winery. With high acidity, rounded tannins and crunchy cranberry fruit flavours, this is perfect to serve slightly chilled.
2. Tolo do Xisto, Ribeira Sacra Spain
Spain may not be the first country we think of for cool red wines, but the mountainous areas of Galicia have the perfect cool climate to make fragrant and crisp reds from the Mencía grape variety. When grown on the local slate soil it gives a wine with concentrated juicy red fruit and mineral freshness.
3. Château de Fleurie, Beaujolais France
The Gamay grape of Beaujolais is rightly considered one of the quintessential summer red wine styles, with silky soft tannins and good acidity, this is ideal for an afternoon meal in the garden. Chill slightly to enhance the crunchy bramble fruit profile.
4. Tandem Ars In Vitro, Navarra Spain
Bodega Tandem, who are based in the Yerri Valley in Spain’s northern Navarra region, take advantage of the high altitude and cooling winds from the coast to allow their grapes ripen gradually and build up good natural acidity. Ars In Vitro is an unoaked Merlot-Tempranillo blend with sweet red fruits and fresh acidity. Perfect for a light summery tapas lunch.
5. Zull Zweigelt, Weinviertel Austria
Weingut Zull is a boutique, family-owned winery in Austria’s cool climate Weinviertel region.This wine is made from Austria’s most planted red grape varietal, Zweigelt. The grape’s natural ripe sour cherry character and crisp acidity are complemented by subtle spice and dark chocolate. With its moderate alcohol level (13%), fresh fruit profile and good acidity, this wine would be ideal slightly chilled and served with a BBQ on a summer afternoon.
6. Lingenfelder Fox Label Dornfelder, Pfalz Germany
The Lingenfelder family have been sustainably making wine in the Pfalz for fourteen generations. This red is made from the local Dornfelder grape, which lends itself to summer sipping: smoky and perfumed with light tannins and crunchy fresh acidity.

Online exclusive, not available in stores.