Temperature of red wine
Wildbilly wrote:
> In article
> >,
> michael > wrote:
>
>> I have been drinking a 2006 Regent( a European hybrid developed for
>> early ripening in cool climates ) red wine recently and have been
>> amazed at the difference temperature makes.My mini vineyard is in
>> Herefordshire,in southern England,and whereas I have been making some
>> excellent dry white wines(as judged by others),I am new to red wine
>> making.
>>
>> The year 2006 was very good in England,with all grapes ripening very
>> well,and earlier than usual.I fermented the grapes on the skins and
>> with the grapes natural yeast,and achieved full fermentation after 2
>> to 3 weeks-the grapes were pressed after 6 days maceration.The wine
>> was matured in gallon glass demijohns for three years,and bottled
>> recently.I tried the wine in my cool pantry (it has been pretty cold
>> in England this winter),and was a little disappointed.It had a very
>> nice fruity nose but seemed a little tannic.We compared it with a
>> commercial Australian Cabernet ,and was not convinced that mine was
>> that much inferior.We decided to serve it to our friends at a dinner
>> party,as English red wine made from English grapes is quite unusual.
>>
>> The surprise came when I warmed up the wine to about 65For room
>> temperature.The wine had lost its tannic nature and was very good,with
>> absolutely no comparison to drinking the wine at 50F.I am well aware
>> that red wine should be drunk at room temperature,but had no idea that
>> its character should change so much;it makes it difficult to assess
>> wine being stored in a cooler place.
>> I would welcome comments
>> Michael
>
> Good reds and whites: 14C - 16C
> Young fruity reds, rosés, and dry whites: 11C - 12C
> Sparkling: 7C - 8C
> Dessert Wines: 6C
>
> Chilling a wine, reduces your ability to taste it. Too warm and it will
> seem flat. Then again, wines are like steaks. No one can tell you the
> right way to serve it (well done, rare), or what is the best temp to
> serve wines, for you. Learn the rules, and then you can break them ;O)
I like your quote at the bottom
Paul
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