'I tried these red wines after putting them in the fridge - the results were astonishing'

Just a couple of weeks ago we went back to the same house we rented last year in the heart of the region, and our extended family flew in from various parts of the world along with our four grandchildren.

The weather was hot, the mistral blew for a day or so, and the pool and the barbecue became the main focus for the week as well as endless restocking of provisions.

The big French supermarkets are really superb, and the wine section was crammed with a huge selection of Provence rosés.

We loved the fact that most of the wines came from the local area, so we spent time exploring the different estates and their wines and left the big-name brands on the shelves.

The trouble is that little, local estates don’t export and that is the dilemma with holiday wines. You find a favourite or two but then can’t buy them when you get home.

There are all kinds of reasons for this with Brexit, paperwork and high duty rates being the main ones.

But we did enjoy a lot of local Provence rosé but maybe we overdid the pink wine experience.

Since we returned home, there has been a noticeable, but probably only temporary kickback against rosé wines.

What was great in the region just doesn’t have the same appeal, so I have started putting a few reds in the fridge and the result is astonishing.

Ripe, crunchy, raspberry and cranberry fruit abound in many reds, and they go perfectly with salads, pasta and the occasional barbecue.

If you have over-done the rosé then take and break and look out for chill-friendly grape varieties such as Gamay, Grenache and Pinot Noir.

Here are 12 of the best, all under £15.

Exceptional Garnacha 2024, Aragon, Spain, Asda £7: Low in tannin and full of bright, juicy raspberry and strawberry fruit, Garnacha seems to enjoy a spell in the fridge, emerging with easy, gluggable flavours that wrap themselves around whatever is on the table. Soft enough for fish, and with enough flavour for pasta.

Found Marzemino 2024, Veneto and Trentino, Italy, Marks and Spencer £8: Refreshingly full of raspberry and cherry fruit that is just perfect for summer drinking after an hour in the fridge. Pour alongside charcuterie and herby roast chicken. Also available from Ocado.

Irresistible País 2023, Chile, Co-op £8.95: Pais is the native grape of Chile, and it has been growing there for centuries. These are really old vines, mainly in the south of the country and, until recently, the farmers could not make a living from growing País, so they started to pull out the wines.

Now the delicious juicy, cherry, cranberry and raspberry flavours of País are being appreciated, and the farmers are starting to value their vines again. This is a win-wine wine. We get the wine and the farmers make a living.

Taste the Difference Discovery Frappato 2025, Terre Siciliane, Sainsbury £9: The Frappato grape is Sicily’s answer to Beaujolais. It makes a wine filled with juicy strawberry and cherry flavours with just a hint of light aromatic spice. Fresh, bright and eminently quaffable, especially after an hour in the fridge, it goes well with summer foods and sunshine.

Incanta Pinot Noir 2024, Romania, 12.5%, Majestic £9 on a mixed six deal: Romania sets the standard for quality, great value wines and this fragrant, strawberry-scented silky wine is perfect slightly chilled alongside charcuterie, salads and herb-spiked roast chicken.

The Best Beaujolais 2023, France, Morrisons down from £11 to £9.50 with a More card until August 9: Sourced from Edouard Delaunay, a company that has its heart in Burgundy, but its skill is in sourcing high quality grapes and wines from across France.

This is a bright, lively Beaujolais with crunchy raspberry fruit that shines out of the glass after a short time in the fridge.

Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages 2024, France, Tesco down from £12.75 to £11 until August 9: The name Beaujolais Villages tells you that it comes from the best part of the region, and so it has more depth, deeper fruit and a touch of complexity.

Even so, it still can cope with a slight chill which brings out its lively fruity flavours. Team this with a plate of lightly spiced chicken kebabs.

Laurent Miquel L’Artisan Pinot Noir 2023, France, Waitrose £11.75: This is a lovely Pinot with light floral notes and ripe cherry and raspberry fruit, and it will do well with autumn dishes, but for now, you can chill it down and enjoy it in sunny weather alongside grilled lamb chops and duck.

Maison Riveraine Fleurie 2024, Cru du Beaujolais, France, Marks and Spencer £13: Fleurie is one of the 10 top villages in Beaujolais, known as ‘crus’ so it is allowed to use the village name rather than just Beaujolais.

This is a stylish, elegant wine, with the light floral notes of good Fleurie and cherries and blueberries on the palate. Serve chilled if the outside temperature is warm enough for short sleeves.

Les Terrasses St. Nicolas de Bourgueil 2024, France, Tesco £12.50: There is something special about the herb-edged, raspberry and redcurrant flavours of Cabernet Franc from the Loire.

The warm enclave of St. Nicolas de Bourgeuil ripens the fruit perfectly and achieves bright, precise flavours, like a first bite into a Scottish raspberry. So much more than a barbecue red, this should be lightly chilled and served alongside roast lamb.

Le Chouchou Grenache-Syrah 2023, Gérard Bertrand, France, £12.75 Waitrose: Made in a light style full of crunchy raspberry and pomegranate fruit with a hint of spice. Only 11% alcohol and organic too. Keep a bottle in the fridge for end of the day emergency refreshment.

Corte Giara Bardolino 2024, Italy, Hic! £14: Made from well-established vines planted on the shores of Lake Garda, this Bardolino comes from top producer Allegrini.

Bigger and more complex than most chillable reds, it needs a short time in the fridge to bring out all its redcurrant and raspberry fruit with just a sprinkle of herby complexity.