Although the summer season is when many of us reach for lively, crisp, and refreshing whites and rosés, you needn’t forget about red wine altogether. In fact, there are many wine drinkers out there for whom white wine just doesn’t hold the same appeal as red.

It doesn’t matter the meal or the rising summer temps, if they’re going to enjoy a glass of vino, it had better be red. If you fall into this camp of wine lovers (or if you’re interested in some new pairings for your summer menus), here are some great ideas for red wines that are sure to please your palate during the warm months now upon us. All of the examples to follow are delightful served with just a slight chill on them, too. Throw them in the fridge for 15 minutes before serving, especially on the hottest of summer days. This is guaranteed to smooth out the flavors and contribute to the refreshment.

Beginning with France, the first wines that come to mind are those made from gamay. Gamay is the primary grape grown in the region of Beaujolais, just south of Burgundy in eastern France. In Beaujolais, gamay often produces wines that are light in body and texture, with a mouthful of red fruits like cherries and strawberries. Gamay is also grown in the Loire Valley near the city of Tours, where it is sometimes blended with another great summertime red grape, cabernet franc. The best examples of cabernet franc can be found in the areas of Chinon and Bourgueil. Here the wines take on a distinct note of black pepper and earth while still being silky and smooth.

Moving southward to north-central Spain we find the region of Rioja. The young, unoaked versions of Rioja wines most often made from the tempranillo grape can make superb partners with lighter fare as their flavors are usually vibrant and fresh and they possess an incredible drinkability.

If a summertime salad full of garden tomatoes sounds good to you—or if you’ve got a casual pasta or pizza on the menu—look for wines made from dolcetto. Dolcetto hails from the region of Piemonte in the northwest corner of Italy and can have a rich color despite its relatively light body. The flavors are usually fruit- driven with soft tannins. Drink these fresh, as the fruit tends to fade after only a couple of years.

Lastly, we head to Austria for a most exciting example of summertime red made from a grape called zweigelt, which is the most widely planted red grape found there. Zweigelt is sometimes described as a softer, fleshier version of pinot noir without the high-toned acidity. They make great food wines, although most are dangerously enjoyable by themselves.

In short, don’t rule out reds as an option when drinking wine this summer. In addition to the examples mentioned above, ask the crew at your local wine shop for their favorites.

Jessica Gualano, CSW, is a wine educator and owner of The Wine Studio of Asheville, a wine retail and education center with a focus on sustainably-produced wines. Visit winestudioasheville.com for more information or contact her at jessica@winestudioasheville.com.