By Lauren Haughey
Keeping whites in the fridge and reds in the cupboard are the rules many of us follow when it comes to wine. But one expert now says we've actually been doing this all wrong - claiming that her '20/20 hack' should be followed for an entirely better taste.
Heather Muriello, a New York-based alcohol specialist, took to Instagram this month to show her 10k followers how to up their wine game and impress whoever their hosting on a Saturday night. "Have you heard of the 20/20 rule for wine?", she posted to her page @winefarer.
"Learn this game-changing 20/20 rule in wine. Chill your reds in the fridge 20 minutes before serving to unleash their complex flavours, while letting whites rest out of the fridge for 20 minutes to reveal their full bouquet and bright acidity."
Red and white wines not only differ in their colour and grape types, but entire composition, according to Wine Folly. This is thanks to their different creation processes, with reds fermented with the grape skins and seeds, and whites generally pressed without these components.
While this may sound like a simple difference, the seeds and skins add a whole range of vitamins and minerals to red wine that whites simply don't have. This includes around 1% Vitamin K and 3% Vitamin B2, though it can vary depending on the bottle and brand.
Reds also have more tannins - a chemical compound mainly found in plants that can give the drink a bitter taste or 'dry' sensation. Keeping the vino in a fridge for too long can effect the structure of these tannins and in turn make their bitterness more pronounced, which is often less desirable when extreme.
That may be why Heather recommends the 20/20 hack as a result - to enhance the dryness and flavour only slightly, before taking the first swig. And if you don't own a proper wine fridge, don't worry, as Heather stresses it can be achieved with just a regular one.
The surprising vino trick has since been met with countless comments on Instagram, with many users claiming they are now keen to try it out for themselves at the weekend. "This is a great tip and easy to remember," one person wrote.
Another later added: "Proper temperatures are so important!", while someone else chimed in: "Great tip! I always forget which is why I bought a wine fridge."
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