Serving a bottle of white wine at a restaurant?!
Serving a bottle of white wine at a restaurant?
I went to this wine bar and I ordered a bottle of white wine. but they didn't bring an ice bucket There were two of us drinking one bottle. Is that why they didn't bring an ice bucket because we could finish the bottle before it gets warm?
But some restaurants, they always serve a bottle of white wine in an ice bucket no matter how many people are sharing the bottle. And what I have read from a book was "serve white wine in an ice bucket"
What is correct?
Thanks.
Answers:
It really depends on the wine. I think 95% of white wine is probably served to cold to get everything out of it. If it's to cold the flavors are muted. on the same note i think most red wine is served to warm. room temperature is not deal for most red wine, a slight chill is always a good idea. If you wanted an ice bucket you should have asked for one, I am a sommelier at a five diamond restaurant, and I always tell people what I think would be ideal for the specific wine. but at a wine bar its assumed that the wine is at the right temperature unless the guest specifies. however, it could also have been that the server was a lazy pos. whenever i go out to eat, im very specific with my expectations, that way there is no confusion
Most white wines should be kept cold, so yes they should have served it in ice.
You're right, maybe they just didn't have enough ice buckets or your server just sucked.
It depends on the kind of wine you got, many wines does not have to be served ad a cold temperature. For this reason, on request of a customer, an ice bucked must be expressly asked.
Depends on your preference. If it was a lite, crisp white wine and only two people - yeah - ice bucket. A big, rich, buttery Chardonnay - maybe not. The sommeilier should have asked though. I ordered a bottal of Cristal for New Years Eve at Antoines in New Orleans and they never brought an ice bucket. Talk about inappropriate. It wasn't even that chilled to begin with. Fiasco. An expensive fiasco.
White wines are ALWAYS served chilled (approx. 4C). To keep the wine at this temperature, it should always be served in an ice bucket. Maybe the wine bar you frequented is a cheap one! If you want good service, go to good bars who know how to serve wines - white, sparkling or red!