It's a longstanding debate against wine drinkers: should you chill red wine, or drink it at room temperature? Well, according to etiquette and wine experts, you should definitely be chilling your red wine this summer.
Research by Chilean wine brand Cono Sur Bicicleta shows that 36 per cent of Brits think it's 'wrong' to drink red wine chilled, with 29 per cent thinking it goes against wine etiquette. And 46 per cent of Brits have never tried red wine chilled.
The research also found that while the majority of Brits stated they most enjoyed drinking red wine, only eight per cent favour drinking it during the hotter summer months, with 37 per cent choosing to cool down with the more traditional chilled rosé instead.
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However, according to wine experts, the best way to enjoy red wine is, in fact, chilled.
"Many people think that chilling red wine is a faux pas but this is definitely not the case - it just depends on the type of wine," says Philip Sykes, principal of The British School of Etiquette.
"In Mediterranean countries, it has long been customary to drink the lighter reds slightly chilled and we in the UK are moving in the same direction. On a balmy summer's day there is nothing better than placing a bottle of Pinot Noir in the fridge and enjoying a nice chilled glass of red wine. It's not only perfectly acceptable but will also bring out the flavours beautifully."
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Master of wine, Alistair Cooper agrees, saying: "Enjoying certain red wines chilled shouldn't seem like a strange idea.
"If you think of the fruit characters you often encounter with lighter, fruitier styles of red wines, like Pinot Noir: strawberries, raspberries and cherries, they are all fruits that you'd enjoy on a summer's day straight out of the fridge, and the same goes for the wine.
"Chilling the wine down really helps those fabulous fruit characters to sing and shine."
To help you out, Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir has launched a nifty label that changes colour when the bottle has been chilled to the ideal temperature, just so you can make sure you're having the optimal wine experience.
You heard the experts: time to make room in your fridge for some wine.
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