Monthly Archives: September 2022

What temperature brings out the best in a bottle of wine? Wine chilling is a topic around which there is much myth and confusion. But, as you’ll discover in this article, a handful of simple wine chilling rules results in a perfectly chilled—or unchilled—bottle of wine, whether red, white, or sparkling. But before we delve into the specifics,  it’s worth considering why wine temperature matters.

The short answer is that temperature affects taste. Wine is a complex mix of ingredients, and every wine has a unique chemical composition. These ingredients behave differently as their temperature changes, affecting how they interact with each other, our taste buds, and, most importantly, our sense of smell. Wine drinkers adjust the temperature of their bottles to achieve the perfect balance of flavors, aromas, and textures. 

How Chilled Should White Wine Be? 

In the 20th century’s middle decades, no cocktail bar or domestic drinks trolley was complete without a selection of vermouths, always including a sweet vermouth from France or Italy. Vermouth from producers such as Cinzano, Noilly Prat, and Martini and Rossi were huge sellers. Towards the end of the century, vermouth suffered a decline in popularity, but its fortunes have revived in recent years.