Are you committing a cardinal sin every time you pour a glass of Merlot? According to a leading wine expert, most of us are making a series of simple but catastrophic mistakes that are ruining the flavour of our favourite reds.
In a revelation that will change your wine-drinking habits forever, sommelier Julien Miquel has highlighted the common blunders that prevent us from enjoying wine at its best. The good news? They're all incredibly easy to fix.
The Biggest Offender: Serving Temperature
The most widespread mistake, Miquel explains, is serving red wine too warm. "Room temperature" is a term rooted in history, specifically the chilly, draughty rooms of French chateaux, not modern centrally heated British homes.
Pouring a rich Cabernet Sauvignon at 22°C can make it taste alcoholic and flabby. The solution is simple: a brief 30-minute chill in the fridge can bring it down to the ideal 16-18°C, allowing the complex flavours and aromas to shine.
Your Glassware Matters More Than You Think
That small, narrow tumbler you've been using? It's doing your wine a disservice. The shape of a wine glass is designed to direct the aroma—the most important part of tasting—towards your nose.
"You need a glass that is large enough that you can swirl the wine around... without spilling it," advises Miquel. Swirling aerates the wine, releasing its bouquet and making each sip more expressive. Opt for a large, tulip-shaped bowl for the best experience.
How to Properly Hold Your Glass
Holding your wine glass by the bowl might feel natural, but you're inadvertently warming the wine with your hands. The correct technique is to hold it by the stem or the base.
This keeps the wine at its optimal temperature for longer, ensuring your last sip is as enjoyable as your first. It’s a small change with a significant impact.
Decanting: Not Just for Fancy Occasions
Reserve that decanter for more than just special occasions. Pouring wine from the bottle into a decanter or even a jug serves two key purposes:
- Aeration: It allows the wine to breathe, softening harsh tannins and opening up the flavours.
- Separation: For older wines, it leaves any sediment in the bottle, ensuring a grit-free glass.
Just a few minutes of decanting can transform a young, tight red into something much smoother and more approachable.
By adjusting these simple elements—temperature, glassware, and technique—you can elevate your everyday glass of red from good to extraordinary. It’s time to taste the difference.
