White Wine FAQ

Can You Cellar White Wine?

White wine, just like red wine, is more than capable of cellaring. While it is true that most white wine is consumed within the first 48 hours after purchase, there are many great white wines and white wine varieties that benefit from careful storage. Prudent consideration needs to be given as to what specific wines are chosen when buying online, as is the case with all wines.

Sauvignon Blanc for instance does not have a great track record when it comes to cellaring and is best consumed in its youth when the aromatic aromas and flavours are at their most powerful. Chardonnay on the other hand has a great history of developing in the bottle, especially those from Burgundy, the home of Chardonnay. Their ancient soils mixed with techniques passed down over many generations result in white wines of utmost elegance and purity that have a natural propensity to age. It is not only textured white wines that can be ‘laid down’, but the deliciously aromatic variety of Riesling is a true cellar star. Starting life as a vibrant and bright style with flavours of citrus, wild flowers and orchard fruit, Riesling transforms in the bottle to display wonderful rich characters of toast, butter and honey. It has been known for great German Riesling’s to age for more than 100 years!

At What Temperature Should You Serve White Wine?

There has been a fair of commentary of recent times as to the proper temperature in which to best enjoy both white and red wines. White wines in particular have generally been consumed at temperatures that are far too cool to best enjoy their flavours. As a general rule when buying your wine either online or in-store, the more aromatic wines like Riesling, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer are the ones that should be enjoyed at temperatures around the 5°C to 7°C, while the more textural and full-bodied white varieties like Chardonnay, Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne are best served at between 8°C and 10°C.

As a test, take a white wine out of the refrigerator and regularly taste over a period of an hour and taste evolution of flavours as the wine warms up. You will soon find the optimum temperature at which your favourite white wine reveals the full extent of its exotic flavours.