DEAR DOCTOR...let us solve your wine problems

Dr Hannah wine therapist 
and perfect housewife

Dear  Dr Hannah,
I was hoping you maybe able to shed some light on  my query. Myself and my girlfriend drink red wine a lot but occasionally we drink white. It strikes me there is clear difference between drinking white wine in a good wine bar or a good restaurant. The difference is not only the quality of the wine itself but the temperature it is served at .Firstly what is the correct temperature to serve white wine? Secondly its very hard to recreate to perfect temperature as enjoyed at a good restaurant or wine bar ,could this be because the wine has been stored at the correct temperature prior to drinking it? If both of these factors play important role in ones enjoyment is there a correct storage temperature or will it differ from bottle to bottle?

Daragh

Dear Daragh,

Thank you  for your inquiry

First off  your  letter would seem to suggest  that the quality of the white wine that you and your girlfriend consume in  good restaurants and wine bars is superior to that which you normally drink at home and elsewhere.This should not be the case as the mark up on restaurant and wine bar wines is in many cases double that of an off license or  wine shop.So in theory you should be able  to buy a wine just as good elsewhere for 50% less .

Why not try  to find a good off license or wine shop  to suit your needs and  that can help you choose the type  of wine you like.Get to know the people working there. Explain what you like and dislike and they will inevitably come up with something you like and  over time can guide you through a whole range of wine styles that will suit your particular taste.

Regarding temperature a lot of restaurants and wine bars actually serve  their wines too cold at  almost beer temperature. In terms of storage they often refrigerate the wines for several days even weeks and this tends to mute the flavour of wine.So Daragh it would appear that white wine is maybe not your thing and that is why you like to drink it so cold.
Temperature is probably the most crucial factor to appreciate any wine at its optimum best. Glass style & shape, food and environmental conditions all play a part but serve your wine at the wrong temperature and it just will not develop to its true potential.

Wine Temperature Guide

The following guidelines should provide the best starting points for your wines...

Young Whites : 10°-12° C
Mature Whites : 12°-14° C

Young and light Rosé : 10°-12° C
Mature and bodied Rosé : 12°-14° C

Nouveaux Reds : 10°-14° C
Young, light and slightly tannic Reds : 14°-16° C
Mature bodied Reds : 16°-18° C
Aged Reds : 18°-20° C

Sweet and aromatic Sparkling wines : 8° C
Charmat methode Sparkling wines : 8°-10° C

Champagne and vintage Sparkling : 8°-10° C

Sweet wines : 10°-18° C
Fortified wines : 10°-18° C


Each bottle of wine will have it's own characteristics and you have a unique palate so these guides are just that - guides. Experiment with the temperatures of your wines and you will soon build your own preference of service temperatures for your favourite wines. It's a good an excuse as any to try more wines!

My advise to you is to approach your choice in wine in a similar way as you approach your  choice in women.

Wines are very similar to women. There are many different types.Some are more complex than others.Some are bubbly others serious.Some are forward others shy.Some have very impressive packaging but this is not a guarantee that they will be enjoyable.Some are for immediate consumption others for keeping. Some need some age for their personalities to shine through and show their true potential.Others if not cared for correctly will not improve with age .For all these reasons, if you persist in your search ,one in particular will eventually appeal over all the others and you will  settle on your favourite.

I do hope this solves your problem.

Dr Hannah,

Wine Therapist


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