The Cheap Summer Wine Guide

Drink Reds Cold

Try: 2010 Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages ($12)

It sounds weird at first, but, wine expert Mark Oldman says, chilling a bottle of light red wine will make it taste more refreshing and help "focus" its flavors. It will also make it taste less alcoholic, or "hot," in winespeak (here, Oldman explains why we traditionally drink reds room temperature and whites cold). Beaujolais nouveau, Beaujolais-Villages, Pinot Noir, Dolcetto, Chinon and Rioja Crianza are all enjoyable cold and pair well with most barbecue foods. And don't worry about exact temperature; 10 minutes in an ice bucket or 20 minutes in a refrigerator ought to do it. (You may have to experiment to find out what you like best.)