Ronan, one of the wonderful chaps behind the stellar wine list at
Angelus, has recently revealed their latest inspired idea; motivated by the blissfully warm weather they are serving a superb summer treat, perfectly chilled reds. We are particularly intrigued though by the “Lo Sang del Pais” 2008, Domaine du Cros Marcillac and the Lard, des Choix 2009, Les Champs Libres (a 40/60 syrah/gamay blend).
This led us to ponder on the oft overlooked importance of temperature as on a daily basis many of us completely ignore the basic guidelines for the correct serving temperatures of wine thinking “White wine=cold, red wine=warm (well, room-temperature)”. This is short-sighted to say the least and means that one can miss out on a veritable Smörgåsbord of aromas and flavours, just a couple of degrees can make all the difference (if you don’t believe us try swimming in one of London’s outdoor pools at the beginning of May, just 14°C, then go back in June, a balmy 18°C. Trust us, if your extremities can feel it, so too can your taste buds.)
Gauging the correct temperature can be tricky with experts offering differing advice; here’s our two cents:
- Lighter styled sweet whites (eg Muscats, Anjou blanc), sweet sparkling whites – 6-8°C
- Young, crisp and aromatic dry whites (eg Muscadet, Sancerre), Classic method non-vintage sparkling wines, fino sherry – 8-11°C
- Medium bodied dry whites, classic method vintage sparkling white, light/young rose, light reds, sparkling red, medium-sweet whites, Amontillado sherry, White Port– 10-12°C
- Mature, fine sweet wines – 11-13°C
- Full, dry whites (eg mature Burgundy and superlative Chardonnays), full roses – 12-14°C
- Medium-bodied, young, light and slightly tannic reds – 14-17°C
- Mature, full-bodied, tannic reds; vintage ports – 15-18°C
While it is true that the basic white=cold, red=warm shouldn’t steer you awry, it’s worth bearing in mind that some whites served too cold become pointless; why spend £200 on a bottle of white Chateuneuf du Pape that you then serve too cold to even taste? Might as well have spent a fiver on a bottle of Blossom Hill if all you were going to do was chill the hell out of it!
