Briar Rose Winery in Temecula Valley’s Wine Country Knows When to Chill

To get the most flavor from your favorite Briar Rose Winery wine, it is important to know at what temperature it should be served. A white wine served too warm will convey mainly an alcohol taste, while if it is too cold the flavor can fall flat. The same is true for red wines. Many people serve their white wines too cold and their red wines too warm. A simple rule of thumb from former Christie’s wine auctioneer Ursula Hermacinski is, “Twenty minutes before dinner, you take the white wine out of the fridge, and put the red wine in.” 

Our Ultra Premium Estate red wines prefer a cooler temperature of about 65 degrees to enjoy the greatest depth of flavors.

The reds and whites in our Premium Collection follow Hermacinski’s adage with the whites performing best at cooler temperatures and reds at a warmer temperature. Our Brut Champagne and sparkling Talking Frog wine lager prefer an even cooler treatment and it is suggested they are placed in a refrigerator at least an hour and half before serving or in an ice bucket for at least 20 minutes before uncorking. While dessert wines like our Sweet Dorian Port tastes best at cellar temperature or warmer.

Hold your wine glass by the stem not the bowl. Heat from your hand can warm your wine and change the flavor.

If you have any questions, it is always best to ask one of your knowledgeable servers while enjoying a tasting at our Briar Rose Winery tasting room. We love to discuss our wines and how to enjoy them. We can also suggest delicious pairings for any occasion! Make a reservation today for your next visit to our Temecula Valley Wine Country location.

Stop and Smell the Roses at Briar Rose Winery in Temecula’s Wine Country and Let Your Wine Breathe

Sometimes you just can’t be in a hurry. When enjoying a glass of fine wine, patience has its rewards. The wine needs time to breathe and aerate. This means air needs to come in contact with the wine. Just allowing an uncorked bottle of wine to sit a while is not sufficient. The benefit of stopping to smell the roses before enjoying your glass of wine is the additional time and contact with the air will allow for the opening of the aromas and the flavor will soften and the flavor will improve.

Red wines generally benefit most from breathing before serving. However, there are select whites that will also improve with a few minutes of air exposure. Most wines will improve with as little as 15-20 minutes of air time. However, the higher the tannin level, the more aeration is needed. Tannins are found in grape skins, seeds, and stems that are an excellent antioxidant and natural preservative. Tannins give wine a needed structure and texture.

Two options to allow the wine to aerate is to pour the wine into a decanter, if several glasses will be enjoyed, or into a single glass. Wine experts also suggest that wine is poured into the center of the decanter or glass with at least 6 inches of "fall" from bottle to glass allowing additional aeration during the actual pour.

A decanter can be any large liquid container that has a wide opening at the top. The increased surface area is the key to allowing more air to make contact with your wine.
 
For additional information ask one of your knowledgeable servers while enjoying a tasting at our Briar Rose Winery tasting room. We love to discuss our wines and how to enjoy them. Make a reservation today for your next visit to our Temecula Valley Wine Country location.