I find myself relaxing at the Plazuela Machado, with the temperature a comfortable 33 degrees, and writing about red wines. I want to give you a logical wine option that’s perfect for the current temperature.

When talking about red wines we can easily divide them into two categories: the youngs and the aged. The difference is the barrel; youngs are not aged in oak barrels and that’s why we call them “young”- they’re made and sold instantly.

Picture this: you’re thirsty, it’s fall, and you’re thinking you’d like a glass of wine, but something a bit more than a white. Let’s say there’s no a/c and you don’t want to be sweating with a dry red wine. Trust me, you need a summer-friendly red. Youngs are also called “wines of thirst” or table wines, because of their versatility. You can drink them during lunch or dinner or simply all by themselves.

Youngs are usually very fruity, with an interesting acidity, and you can drink them cooler than normal red wines - let’s say 13-14ºC. They’re nicely fresh and “soft.” “Soft” means you can barely feel the tannins on your tongue. (Tannins are responsible for making your tongue salivate when a wine is dry. Perfect example: the classic Cabernet Sauvignon.) They go excellently with salads with balsamic vinaigrettes, hams and sausages, lamb, pork and chicken. Great with endives, portobello mushrooms, vegetable stews, and also with strong-flavored fish such as salmon. Youngs are very easy to drink and always enjoyable.

The most popular of these is the very French Beaujolais. In France this wine is so popular they even have a holiday for it (at least in Lyon, where I actually experienced it myself). The people celebrate the arrival of the Beaujolais on the third Thursday of November. Fortunately we can find it here, from George Duboeuf. The bottle, like the flavor, is very colorful. This particular wine has interesting banana scents. ($149, Sam’s Club)

Next is the very nice Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, another very fruity, soft red, with subtle cherry aromas. Made in the East-Central region of Italy, its popularity has increased dramatically in the last 10 years. Even though in Mexico we don’t hear much about it, it’s actually easy to find. (Umani Ronchi, $100, Sam’s Club)

Mariana Gomez Rubio is Executive Chef at Domitila Restaurant in the Plaza Machado. She offers catering, courses and advice. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .