Cool Red Wine too unsophisticated?!
Recently I was told I was unsophisticated!. The reason was I said that I happen to like my Lambrusco (the cheap bottom of the barrel red wine)
cool!. I actually store it in the refrigerator!. I know red wines are traditionally served at room temperature, but I've always had my Lambrusco this way!.!.!.
Am I wrong or unsophisticated because of this, or is it just one of those things where I'm the one drinking it so I get to have it my own way!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
cool!. I actually store it in the refrigerator!. I know red wines are traditionally served at room temperature, but I've always had my Lambrusco this way!.!.!.
Am I wrong or unsophisticated because of this, or is it just one of those things where I'm the one drinking it so I get to have it my own way!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
You're not unsophisticated for chilling your red wine!.
People, somewhere along the way, got confused!. In Europe, people traditionally had wine cellars!. Go in your basement, it's cooler there than on the 1st floor or a 2nd floor!. It's the same in Europe -- the wine cellar was a way to keep their wine cool, not cold!. The actual temperature was 55-60F!. This is where they would serve wine!. Serving wine at a room temperature of 70-75F is not the proper way!. At 74F, ethanol has the ability to vaporize more!. The result is if the wine is served above 74F it takes on harsh, offensive, and abrasive flavors that are really not part of the wine but server error!.
I would, and do, reccomend you keep whites in the fridge until 30 minutes before serving, and that you put reds in the fridge 30 minutes before serving!. That half hour lets the red wines cool down to cellar temperature, not cold!. It also lets whites come up to their temperature!.
And to be honest, with cheaper wines, there probably is a lot more nasty flavors revealed in the higher temperatures anyways!. I'd prefer to drink cheaper wine a little colder, it will come up to temperature over time anyways!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
People, somewhere along the way, got confused!. In Europe, people traditionally had wine cellars!. Go in your basement, it's cooler there than on the 1st floor or a 2nd floor!. It's the same in Europe -- the wine cellar was a way to keep their wine cool, not cold!. The actual temperature was 55-60F!. This is where they would serve wine!. Serving wine at a room temperature of 70-75F is not the proper way!. At 74F, ethanol has the ability to vaporize more!. The result is if the wine is served above 74F it takes on harsh, offensive, and abrasive flavors that are really not part of the wine but server error!.
I would, and do, reccomend you keep whites in the fridge until 30 minutes before serving, and that you put reds in the fridge 30 minutes before serving!. That half hour lets the red wines cool down to cellar temperature, not cold!. It also lets whites come up to their temperature!.
And to be honest, with cheaper wines, there probably is a lot more nasty flavors revealed in the higher temperatures anyways!. I'd prefer to drink cheaper wine a little colder, it will come up to temperature over time anyways!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I, personally, wouldn't consider it as "unsophisticated"!. It's all matter of personal preferences!. Yes, traditionally, red wine is served "at room temperature", and whites are served chilled!. But, if you like your reds chilled, then drink them that way!. Anyone who would complain about it is just an ungrateful oaf!.
If someone else prefers their red wines "warm" or "room temperature", fine!. Let them drink it that way!. If they're being offered a chilled red wine, they should be a gracious guest and accept it, and not complain!.
Next thing you know, they'll complain about the foods you serve with your wine(s) or the type of music you listen to!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
If someone else prefers their red wines "warm" or "room temperature", fine!. Let them drink it that way!. If they're being offered a chilled red wine, they should be a gracious guest and accept it, and not complain!.
Next thing you know, they'll complain about the foods you serve with your wine(s) or the type of music you listen to!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Okay, so don't listen to me, I'm a dummy, wine snob!. I'm like a yellow belt in tae kwon do, I know just enough to get killed!. That said, I'll take a whack at your questions last one first!. You are the one drinking it, do your Sinatra thing!. As for chilling red, yes, you are an unsophiscated philistine (only kidding)!. I generally do not recommend drinking red cold!. Some people like cold pizza in the morning, I would not recommend it and do not feel like a pizza snob for recommending that pizza should be had hot!. Same argument goes for red wine!. Others have already touched on US versus European notions of room temperature, so I won't go there!. My whole thing is, enjoy it the way it was meant to be enjoyed!. Otherwise, the only one getting shortchanged would be you!. On the other hand, if you accept that, that's cool!. Lastly, the exception!. The exception is reds that have good acidity and soft tannins, very soft tannins!. Have it chilled, its better!. Guess what, Lambrusco is a red with good acidity, almost no tannins, and a little fizz!. Lamb's the exception!. Have it chilled!. I was wrong, you are not an unsophiscated philistine, you're having Lambrusco the right way!. Just do not do it with a 2000 Communali Brunello di Montalcino!. Have fun!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I totally agree, if you like it chilled then drink it chilled!. also, there are a lot of reds (nice ones, at that) that are traditionally served chilled in summer, and not just wine cellar chilled, but 40 degrees chilled!. Beaujolais is nice this way, and some of the Spanish wines are too!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
Wine snobs, every one!. Every single real wine expert will tell you that you are to drink what you like how you like it!. Generalizations about wine are taken too literally by the real "unsophisticated"!. Warm white, red with fish, white with beef -- it is all what you like!. Don't listen to the dummies!.
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You should drink your wine at whatever temperature tastes good to you!!! And red wine is quite often chilled before it is consumed!. I do not personally chill a Cabernet, but (especially in the summer) I chill almost every other red I drink!. Wine cellars are much cooler than room temp!. for a reason!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
don't worry i went to olive garden with my husband one time and we got some red wine and i put ice cubes and sugar in it to make it taste better!. people were looking at me very strangly!. to each their own!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
