Contrary to popular belief, you can enjoy a chilled, full-bodied red wine over summer. “Sacré bleu!,” we hear you say! But yes, it’s true. Gone are the days when red wines are said to be enjoyed best at room temperature, by the fireplace in the middle of winter.
And in fact, the concept of drinking wine at room temperature originates from Europe, where wines were kept in chilly cellars at ‘Europrean room temperatures’. The average room temperature in Australia is approximately 23 degrees, which is somewhat warmer than the chilly cellars of Europe, making it just that little too warm for the optimum serving temperature.
According to Taylors Wines, full-bodied reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz should actually be served at between 16 to 18 degrees celsius. If you prefer a lighter-bodied red such as Pinot Noir, it should be served at 12-14 degrees celsius. Experts at Taylors also say if red wine is served too warm, the alcohol will dominate and mask its subtle flavours.
But if you need further convincing that drinking chilled red is actually okay, then it’s best you hear it from the experts at Taylors Wines, who are launching the Summer House of Shiraz – a 90-minute, temperature themed wine tasting experience at a stunning Point Piper venue overlooking Sydney Harbour. To access the venue, you will be transported to and from the Summer House via private water taxi from Rose Bay.
The Summer House will open its doors and private jetty for two days, Saturday 7 December and Sunday 8 December. It’s the perfect opportunity to find out more about chilling over summer with a glass of red and how to serve it at the optimum temperature.
When you arrive at the Summer House, you’ll have the opportunity to experience a variety of Taylors Wines including Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Shiraz. Plus, Summer House Chef and 2015 My Kitchen Rules winner Will Stewart will prepare a selection of matched summer dishes to accompany the award-winning Taylors reds.
The 90-minute sessions are available from 12pm – 9pm and tickets are $55 per person, plus booking fee. Book your tickets here.
To find out more about wine and temperature, click here.