Which red wine is the best to mix with water (bevanda) for the summer?
Well typically I wouldn't suggest any water with wine unless using ice to cool down a rose or a white. But there are some reds that work well being chilled, and so to answer your question I guess some Pinot Noirs. Look for ones that didn't use oak during fermentation, this will make it nicer to drink when cooled with the water/ice. Also any red wine that uses Grenache as it's main grape is really nice and juicy when cooled (again, try to find a red that hasn't used oak during fermentation, this will just make the overall taste better when chilled).
You want to avoid fuller-bodied reds like Cab. Sav, Merlot or Malbec because they're often oaked and what makes these wines nice is the tannins, so when cooling a wine or using water to mix it up you probably won't get a nice tasting beverage, so go for lighter reds for sure like the ones mentioned above.
Thanks for the advice, that actually explains why it was tasting off. I was using Merlot. Anyway mixing wine and water is common in Croatia during summer, we call it Bevanda, half wine half water. I know it sounds unintuitive, but if you use nice freezing cold filtered water and it's hot outside, it's the drink that really hits the spot. Especially after a large meal.
That's why you are all stabby, Croats are like that. You ever read any of the stuff from Selco? He writes about surviving the war in the city back in the 90's. (Bosnia)
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