How many of us have gone to modern, upscale restaurants and ordered a white win other than a Pinot Gris, Riesling, or Muscato (or variations) and had it served ice cold?
I have had it! The American public has been sold the idea the all wines white are served so cold that any taste that may escape is purely accidental. Now, when I go to a restaurant and order a white burgundy, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Sauterne, et al, I am DEMANDING it be served slightly below cellar temperature. I will not pay $$$ for something that tastes like water until it has been setting on the table for 45 minutes. I can understand small town diners, chain restaurant, or cheep dives not bothering to educate their clients, but the big boys need to step up and serve wine at a temperature that allows the hard work of the vintner, the love of the winemaker, and the essence of the grape to shine through!
Please ask you local upscale dining place to serve the wines at a proper temperature and lets start educating people about how wonderful white wines can be if you just stop killing them with coldness.
From Basic Wine Knowledge
White Wine Serving Temperature
For white wines, the
opposite may be true. It’s better to serve a white wine too warm than
too cold. White wines served too cold (under 45°F) lose many of their
flavors and aromas.
However, you still want to serve your white wines colder than your red
wines. Serving white wines at a lower temperature brings out their
natural fruity, fresh, and sweet characteristics. You will want to serve your white wines at 45-55°F, depending upon the wine and your personal preference. A
Riesling will be better a bit colder than a
Pinot Gris or a
Chardonnay.
Since
most home refrigerators are kept at between 35-40°F, it’s best not to
serve your white wines right out of the refrigerator.
Removing
your white wine from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before serving
should bring them to about the right temperature. And, you can always
warm the wine up by cupping your hands around the glass as you swirl.
If
your white wine has been kept at room temperature, place it in the
refrigerator or ice bucket for 30-60 minutes before serving.
Do NOT stay silent! If you are served a white wine that it not a Riesling or champagne ice cold, speak up! Why should you be paying a premium price for something that tastes like flavored water when you can actually have a wonderful wine experience?
Please send me you comments or experiences and I will post them.
