If you’re a fan of white wine, you’ll know it’s best served straight from the fridge rather than at room temperature like its red counterpart. But do you know why white wine is best served chilled and that some white wines taste nicer when served at different temperatures?
The right temperature for the right taste
There are many reasons why you should serve wines at different temperatures, particularly white wines. If it’s too warm, the alcohol taste will take over and the wine will taste a bit flat. Too cold and you’ll taste the tannins. Ideally, you only need a couple of hours to chill a bottle of white to the right level from room temperature.
What temperature is right for particular wines?
If your favourite tipple is a sparkling bubbly or a light Pinot Grigio, 40o– 50o is ideal. That’s because bubbles are kept fine rather than frothy in between these temperatures and anything sweet, such as desert wine, also tastes better. Any whites with a bit more body will benefit from being chilled to 50o – 60o. White wines are best served chilled as it lets the fruitiness come to the fore making them taste more pleasant and refreshing.
How do you know when a bottle’s at the correct temperature?
An easy way to check if your wine’s at the correct temperature is with a digital thermometer. You can pick one up relatively cheaply and it will tell you instantly whether your bottle’s cold enough. If you need to cool it down quickly, pop the bottle into the freezer or an ice bucket for about 15 minutes. And if it’s a bit too cold, most wines will warm up when you hold the glass in your hands or if you place it in a container of warm water.
Let your wine warm up after opening
Once you’ve poured your first glass, leave the wine out to breath and sweat a bit as it warms up. This lets the wine’s character change a touch along with the flavour and makes for a really enjoyable experience. The only exception to this is sparkling white wine as this should always be served very cold. If you don’t finish your bottle, put in back in the fridge and follow the process again next time you drink it.