10 popular wine myths debunked: an expert explains
Should you ever chill red wine? Are corks better than screwcaps? We debunk popular wine myths
Wine is one of the oldest and most celebrated beverages in the world, but with its rich history comes a variety of myths and misconceptions. The world of wine can feel like a place dominated by rules and opinions – from whether it is sacrilege to put ice cubes in your glass to how long to keep a bottle once it's opened. But we think wine should be an enjoyable experience throughout, whether it's finding styles you like, enjoying a new bottle or sharing a glass with friends and family.
We asked wine expert Grant Hedley from Laithwaites to separate the fact from fiction when it comes to wine, and show that there's no true right or wrong way to enjoy your favourite glass. So pick up a screwcap, add a few ice cubes and enjoy a blended bottle – without the wine rules holding you back!
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10 popular wine myths debunked by an expert
Myth: You should never chill red wine
Truth: Many red wines can be chilled. Lighter styles, such as Pinot Noir and Gamay for example, can definitely benefit from being slightly chilled. Red wine is often recommended to be served at ‘room temperature’, which generally means 15-18 degrees – cooler than most people’s thermostats are set at.
Myth: a silver spoon will keep sparkling wine fizzy
Truth: Unfortunately, this one is nonsense. If you find yourself in the peculiar position of having leftover sparkling wine, the best thing to use is a specific sparkling wine stopper, which will save it from going flat as quickly.
Myth: Corks are better than screwcaps
Truth: Not at all. While corked wines maintain the tradition and ceremony of opening a bottle with a corkscrew, screwcaps are favoured by many winemakers. Screwcaps are an excellent option: they protect wine from spoilage and are more convenient than corks.
Myth: Decanting wine doesn't do anything
Truth: Decanting is an important step in enjoying many wines. It’s not always necessary, especially with easy-drinking styles. But many big, bold, complex reds benefit from being opened and poured prior to drinking, as this helps to bring out flavours and soften tannins. With old wines, it is important to decant slowly, over a light, to separate the wine from any sediment in the bottle. You can give younger wines up to two hours, but with older wines 30 minutes is usually enough.
Myth: wine glasses make no difference to your drink
Truth: Ultimately you can enjoy wine in whatever vessel you choose, but some glasses are specifically designed to enhance the enjoyment of a drink. For example, white wine glasses are usually smaller, to concentrate the aromas, whereas red wine glasses are designed to allow the wine to open up inside the larger bowl.
Myth: you should never put ice in wine
Truth: While some may tut at this idea, if your ideal summer drink is a crisp rosé chilled to the bone with ice, go for it! Wine is a personal experience and you should enjoy it however you want. Check out our pick of the best rosés for some bottle inspiration.
Myth: wine doesn’t keep well once opened
Truth: While we wouldn’t recommend leaving a bottle open for weeks on end, there are some things you can do to make an open bottle of wine keep well for up to a week. Using a vacuum pump to remove oxygen from the bottle and storing it in the fridge (red wines included) are both great ways of keeping the aromas and flavours fresh.
Myth: boxed wine isn’t as good as bottled
Truth: You’re unlikely to see a Grand Cru Burgundy in a box, but that doesn’t mean all boxed wine is bad. Many wines are just as enjoyable from a box as they are from a bottle, plus it helps them stay fresh for longer once opened, and it’s better for the environment.
Myth: blended wines aren't good
Truth: Many great wines are single-varietals, but some of the finest wines – such as Super Tuscan and Chateauneuf-du-Pape – are blends of grape varieties. Blending is used by winemakers for balancing flavours, tannins and acidity to create a wine greater than the sum of its parts.
Myth: older wine is always better
Truth: This is not alway the case. Many of the world’s greatest wines are better after a few years of ageing, but most wines are created to be enjoyed on release. Cheers to that!
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