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Why Gen Z chilling red wine is socially acceptable, especially in the summer heat
🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Culture & Society

Why Gen Z chilling red wine is socially acceptable, especially in the summer heat

From BBC News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • A wine tasting event in Manchester featured chilled red wines, challenging traditional serving temperatures.
  • Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z, are increasingly requesting chilled red wines, driving a surge in popularity.
  • The trend is attributed to warmer weather and a desire to break from old-school wine myths, making reds more refreshing and fruity.

The long-held belief that red wine should only be served at room temperature is being challenged, with a recent sell-out tasting event in Manchester exclusively serving chilled reds. Henry Alassane, owner of Cru Manchester, hosted the event where all wines, priced at £44 a ticket, were served cold, a practice he has embraced for years.

It's something that we see guests actively asking for

— Holly WillcocksHolly Willcocks, owner of Half Cut wine bar, confirms customer demand for chilled red wine.

Alassane notes a significant increase in customer demand for chilled red wine, a sentiment echoed by Holly Willcocks, owner of London's Half Cut wine bar. "It's definitely, slowly become something that people are really keen on," Willcocks states, observing that younger drinkers are particularly driving this trend, similar to their embrace of orange wine the previous year.

I think it's definitely, slowly become something that people are really keen on.

— Holly WillcocksWillcocks describes the growing popularity of chilled red wine among consumers.

This shift is evident beyond trendy bars, with consumers chilling red wine at home. Online searches for chilled red wine have soared, and retailers like Aldi have released products with temperature-sensitive labels. Miles Beale, CEO of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, attributes the surge partly to the heatwave and a desire to "break down old school wine myths."

It's the [same] guests that were asking for an orange wine last year.

— Holly WillcocksWillcocks notes that younger drinkers driving the chilled red trend are the same ones who previously sought out orange wine.

Data supports this trend, with a June Ocado survey revealing that 56% of Gen Z and young millennial respondents have consumed chilled red wine or red wine with ice during summer months. Consumers like Dominic Lee, 26, discovered chilled reds in London bars and now refrigerates bottles at home, finding it "takes the edge off" and makes the wine less heavy. Emma Moore, who runs wine tastings in York, describes chilled red wine as "rosé for grown-ups," emphasizing its refreshing quality and accentuated fruitiness, often surprising her clients with the option.

This summer has seen a surge in the popularity of chilling red wine. This is partly down to the heatwave and partly down to breaking down old school wine myths.

— Miles BealeMiles Beale, CEO of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, explains the reasons behind the trend.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by BBC News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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