There’s nothing quite like uncorking a bottle of wine after a long week or to mark a special occasion – but according to a wine expert, you might not be getting the full flavour.
Wine connoisseur Tom Gilbey, also known as ‘Tom the wine guy’ on social media, maintains that pricier wine isn’t necessarily superior. But a few simple tricks could elevate a budget supermarket bottle to give you that more expensive taste.
The sommelier, who has amassed more than 628,000 followers on Instagram, emphasises the importance of assessing the wine itself rather than the bottle – and insists temperature can significantly affect your tasting experience. Tom, who has partnered with Decantaroo to share some tips ahead of Valentine’s Day, advises that if you’re a fan of Champagne, Prosecco, white or rosé wine, it’s crucial to chill it in the fridge, reports the Express.
However, over-chilling could alter the taste. He explains: “Yes, there is such a thing as too cold, aim for about 8 – 10 degrees.”
As for red wine, warmth is key and Tom even recommends using your radiator. He added: “With red especially, it’s great to let it breathe a little before you drink it to get those aromas opening up on the palate.
“Most reds are great at room temperature. If it’s too cold I always pop it on the radiator for a few minutes before opening the bottle.”
Tom points out that while a bottle of red wine may look impressive on the table, decanting it can really elevate your hosting game, making even a budget-friendly bottle seem more luxurious. He suggests: “If you’re scared about looking cheap you can always pop the wine into a decanter or something for when your friends come over.”
Tom warned that there’s a common misconception linking price to quality in wines. He added: “The bigger the price tag, the better the wine – definitely not the case.
“There are some absolute gems in supermarket own ranges and some absolute garbage in brands that are very heavy on the marketing, so you’re spending your money on a fancy label rather than what’s in the bottle!”
Why does temperature matter so much with wine?
It’s because temperature significantly affects the taste, aroma, preservation, and overall enjoyment of the wine. If the wine is too cold, it can suppress its flavours and aromas, resulting in a flat or overly acidic taste.
Conversely, if it’s too warm, the alcohol becomes too prominent, acidity is dulled, and the wine might taste overly sweet or unbalanced.
Therefore, heed Tom’s advice and enjoy white wine at a cool 8 – 10 degrees. For sparkling wine, aim for a chillier 3–7°C to bring out its crispness and liveliness.
For rosé wines, aim for a temperature between 10-13°C to strike the right balance between their fruity character and freshness. As for red wines, target a range of 13–18°C to highlight the flavours while keeping the alcohol level balanced.
Lighter reds should be on the cooler end, while fuller or heavier reds can be slightly warmer.