Advice
Wine & Temperature Matters: Why How You Serve Wine Makes All the Difference
As the heat wave soars across New Zealand, we’re reminded that wine temperature matters. It’s surprisingly common to see bottles of wine sitting at ambient temperatures in restaurants, bars and homes — temperatures that are currently far too high for wine to be stored at, let alone served. When it comes to wine, temperature matters more than many people realise. So why does temperature matter, what temperature is right, and how does it impact the wine in your glass? Liz, our Director of Wine, explains why serving wine at the correct temperature is essential to enjoying wine as the producer intended. At Normanby, our store is fully air conditioned, La Cave is kept at a constant 16°C, and our storage facility is chilled and temperature monitored. Every wine is shipped to us in temperature-controlled containers — all so you can enjoy wine in perfect condition. Why Temperature Matters for Wine Wine is about balance. When wine is served at the wrong temperature, that balance is lost. Serve a wine too cold and its aromatics are muted. Low temperatures amplify acidity, phenolics and tannins. For example, chilling a bold, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon will restrain the fruit and exaggerate the tannins. Serve wine too warm and alcohol becomes dominant. A full-bodied red served warm can feel hot and unbalanced. With sparkling wine, temperature is critical — served too warm, it becomes frothy and dull as carbon dioxide is released too quickly. Simply put, temperature matters because it determines how a wine tastes, smells and feels. Tip 1: Aromatic Dry White Wines Aromatic dry white wines are best served between 8–12°C. This is typically achieved with around two hours in the fridge. If they’ve been chilled longer, allow 10–20 minutes on the bench before serving. In warmer weather, it’s often best to take the bottle straight from the fridge, open and serve — the wine will naturally warm in the glass.Tip 2: Sparkling Wine Temperature Sparkling wines shine at 6–10°C. Four hours in the fridge is ideal, followed by serving from an ice bucket to maintain freshness and finesse. Tip 3: Light Red Wines Served Chilled Light, fruit-driven red wines without heavy oak influence are excellent slightly chilled. Wines like Tenuta Garetto Rosina, Domaine Combier IGP Syrah and Amoise Gamay Noir are perfect examples. Serve at 10–12°C, achieved with one to two hours in the fridge.Tip 4: Rosé Wine Temperature Rosé wine temperature depends on style. Crisp, aromatic rosé suits cooler temperatures similar to aromatic whites, while richer, fuller styles can be served closer to Chardonnay temperatures. Tip 5: Chardonnay Temperature Chardonnay benefits from being served a little warmer, around 12–16°C. Approximately one hour in the fridge allows the body, texture and complexity to shine.Tip 6: Fuller Bodied Red Wines Full-bodied red wines are best at 15–18°C, far cooler than current summer temperatures. Around 20 minutes in the fridge or 10 minutes in an ice bucket will bring them into balance. When enjoying a bottle, smaller pours refreshed from an ice bucket will keep the wine at its ideal temperature throughout the evening.
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Buying Wine for Christmas: Expert Tips from Our Director of Wine
When it comes to buying wine for Christmas, there’s nothing more valuable than experience. With more than three decades spent buying wine, travelling the globe and tasting at the source, Liz — our Director of Wine — is the person we turn to for trusted advice, emerging styles and what’s truly worth pouring at the table. We asked Liz to share her tips for buying wine for Christmas Day, focusing on bottles that work beautifully from aperitif through to the main event. Choosing just six wasn’t easy, but after much thought, these are her standout new finds — a list to file away and return to whenever you need a confident recommendation. All six wines are available individually or as a mixed case, ready to ship. Tip 1: Start with a Red That Redefines ExpectationsPomona Chianti“This is the wine that changed perceptions,” says Liz. Tasted earlier this year in Castellina in Chianti, Pomona lifted the bar on what Chianti can be. Balanced, expressive and full of energy, it’s a modern classic that delivers freshness and depth in equal measure. Tip 2: Choose Whites from Cool, Elevated SitesDomaine Buisson Saint-Romain Sous la Velle 2023Liz has long loved Saint-Romain for its high, cool vineyards and crystalline wines. This 2023 captures everything she looks for — freshness, verve and clarity — and comes from a producer she was thrilled to secure after a memorable visit. Tip 3: Don’t Underestimate a “Third Wine”Château Haut Roc 2016Made from younger vines on the same exceptional site as Château Bélair-Monange and in the same winery, this is Bordeaux with real polish. Depth, charm and approachability make it a smart choice when buying wine to please a crowd. Tip 4: Look for Champagne with PersonalityLes Monts Fournois ChampagneFrom the team behind Domaine Bérêche, Les Fournois stood out immediately for Liz. Elegant, refined and genuinely fun to drink, this is Champagne with character — perfect for kicking things off in style. Tip 5: Seek Out Honest, Expressive Rhône WinesDomaine CombierA Northern Rhône discovery that continues to impress. These wines show freshness, balance and purity — immediate yet thoughtful, and a brilliant example of why careful buying wine at the source matters. Tip 6: Finish with a White That Can Age — or Shine NowDomaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu 2023Mineral-driven Chenin Blanc with precision and quiet complexity. Drinking beautifully now, with structure to age, this is a classic table wine Liz returns to time and again. Six Bottles, Expertly Chosen These six wines are just a glimpse into our wider range, but together they cover the Christmas table beautifully. If you’re looking for confidence when buying wine, this is a list worth saving — drawn from decades of expertise and a passion for finding wines that truly deliver.Mixed case of all six bottles available
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Wine Futures aka En Primeur explained
En Primeur is often referred to as wine futures—a system where wine is purchased while still maturing in barrel, well before it’s bottled and released. While several wine regions around the world offer futures, the term en primeur is most closely associated with Bordeaux.
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