A light, juicy and vibrant red made from a blend of Grenache (80%) and Syrah (20%), sourced from vineyards in the foothills of Montagne Noir, near Carcassonne. Brilliantly fresh, this wine is best enjoyed at around 10° when the & Frais appears on the label. Bright, crunchy red fruit characters, soft tannins and fresh acidity. Created to be enjoyed as a summer red, even over ice.
Its very tasty and was pretty good with some chicken fajitas on a warm evening.
Matthew Jukes, MoneyWeek 28th August 2025
"Finally, a red wine that is specifically designed to be served chilled, that tastes genuinely delicious. I have been banging on about this style of wine for decades. I love chilled red wine, and in the absence of purpose-built reds that confirm to this dream, I, like all of you, chuck just about any fresh and fruity red wine into an ice bucket when the temperature rises or the menu demands it. There comes a moment in any gathering when white wines just don’t cut it, and rosé, no matter how engaging and robust, can’t match a carefully chosen, chilled red. Usually, this comes when the main course hits the table, but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes your taste buds shout loud enough, and you must respond. Cue Michel Chapoutier’s hilariously appointed candidate. It looks cool, and it’s made from 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, which means it has more than enough juicy fruit to retain its charm and buoyancy when the temperature plummets. Plus, there’s a cunning marketing ploy included in this label that will blow your mind! Rouge Clair should be served out of the fridge and enjoyed somewhere between 10° and 12°C. When this bottle hits this temperature zone, the words’ & Frais’ light up (or instead become apparent) on the label. I love this trick! The flavour of this glorious red is like plunging your hand into the centre of a summer pudding, eviscerating its contents, holding a handful of cool berries above your mouth and slurping the juice as you crush the mélange of fruit in your clenched fist! It is the essence of summer, bottled and crafted to be served chilled, and it does this task with sensational accuracy! I have waited all summer for this brilliant double issue edition, hoping that twice as many people will discover this genius red wine."
