Top 10 wine myths debunked by Berry Bros. & Rudd

Berry Bros. & Rudd debunks these top 10 debated wine myths

Dione Chen

07 Aug 2016

1/10
Myth: Wine gets better with age
Most wines do not agree with this mantra, and often become stale after about 1-2 years from their release dates. Only 1% of wines taste better upon long-term cellaring as they require time to mature and reach a maximum level of enjoyment.
2/10
Myth: Expensive wines are better wines
Try not to choose your wines according to their prices, because there are more factors influencing wine prices than just quality. Branding, demand and currency fluctuations can also cause a spike in prices, and sometimes less familiar wines can offer good value for money.
3/10
Myth: Heavier bottles are higher quality wines
Heavier wines are only more expensive because more money has been invested into the packaging and shipping of the wine. This should be pretty obvious, so don't fall for the hefty prices when you have plenty of other good options to choose from.
4/10
Myth: Wine doesn’t go with Chinese food
It all depends on what type of wine you choose. Wines that complement Chinese food include those that are high in acidity, low in alcohol and milder in flavour, like Riesling for white wines or Pinot Noir for reds.
5/10
Myth: High quality wines are always sealed with cork
Cork is known for its ability to allow a small amount of oxygen to enter the bottle that will help the wine to mature. However, although corks have been preferred for a long time now, wines can also mature well under a screw cap, as some high quality wines in the market will prove to you.
6/10
Myth: The only heart-friendly alcohol is red wine
Research has revealed that it isn't antioxidants that help to prevent heart disease, but rather alcohol that increases your body's good cholesterol levels. This means that not only does wine confer health benefits, but so do beer, liquor and all other alcoholic beverages, when consumed in moderation.
7/10
Myth: Red wine causes more headaches than white wine
Red wine is thought to create more headaches than white wine because of a higher sulphite content, but this is completely untrue. Firstly, sulphites do not cause headaches. Secondly, red wine in fact contains less added sulphites than white wine, and your headaches are probably caused by dehydration from hangovers.
8/10
Myth: Cheese and wine always pair perfectly
Contrary to popular belief, not all types of cheese go well with wine. Heavy textured and strong tasting cheese tend to overpower the tongue's ability to appreciate the taste of a good wine, so make sure you pair your wine with milder cheese like brie.
9/10
Myth: Legs are evidence of a high quality wine
Legs or tears are the streaks that form on the inner sides of a wine glass when you swirl your wine. They only indicate viscosity caused by a higher or lower alcohol content, not because of quality. The higher the alcohol concentration, the fatter and slower the legs will be.
10/10
Myth: Open the bottle to let it breathe
The narrow bottleneck of a bottle of wine may not be sufficient in helping the wine aerate. Letting it air in a glass or decanter is a more efficient method. Another way you can aerate your wine while drinking is to pour a glass for yourself, replace the cork or screw and shake the bottle a little to release the flavours of the wine while you enjoy that glass you've poured.

Find out if what you know about your favourite alcoholic beverage is actually fact or just a myth.

Wine has become one of the most beloved beverages to pair with cheese and meats during a romantic or casual dinner with your loved ones. The wine industry has been steadily growing with an increased appreciation of wine around the world. Vineyards have started attracting tourists, and food connoisseurs continue seeking out the best and most interesting wines in the world. However, there remain a lot of rumours regarding this alcoholic beverage that many believe to be true, but are in fact not.

Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain’s orginal wine and spirit merchant, has finally answered all your questions pertaining to the mysteries that surround wine. Let’s see if you really know your alcohol, or if what you’ve been spreading is simply hearsay that has turned out to be false after all. Browse through our gallery to add a little trivia you can inform your friends about on your next dinner outing!

Dione Chen

Photos: Getty Images

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