Temperature Experiment
This optional excercise illustrates the effect of temperature on wine.

With a white wine:

1. Pour two ounces of the same, properly chilled (45 to 50° F or 7 to 10° C) white wine into two glasses.
2. Microwave one glass of wine on high power for approximately 30 seconds, raising the wine to a warm room temperature (70 to 75° F or 21 to 24° C).

Compare the two wines. Do the aromas of one wine seem more intense? Does one wine seem more alcoholic? Does one seem more acidic and tart in your mouth?

-or-

With a red wine:

1. Pour two ounces of the same red wine -at room temperature- into two glasses.
2. Chill one glass of wine in the freezer for 20 minutes.

Compare the two wines. Do the aromas of one wine seem more intense? Does one wine seem more alcoholic? Does one seem less fruity, making your mouth feel very dry, even furry?

close window