What makes white wines fresh is not just the temperature.
25 August, 2025
On a hot summer day, few things are more pleasant than a well-chilled glass of white wine. But is it really just the low temperature that makes it so enjoyable? The answer, for true wine enthusiasts and winemakers, is clear: the sensation of freshness goes far beyond the temperature of the wine…
The Trap of Temperature
British wine critic Jancis Robinson warns that many white wines are served so cold that they lose an essential part of their character:
“Whites are often served so cold that it is difficult to smell their all-important aroma.”
The ideal temperature depends on the wine’s style. Aromatic and light wines? Yes, they should be fresh. But not so cold that they numb the aromas.
The Real Basis of Freshness: Acidity
Acidity is the main pillar of freshness.
Acidity is the main pillar of freshness.
A white wine with high natural acidity – like an Arinto or Riesling – gives a sensation of lightness, vibrancy, and impressive palate freshness. Acidity balances alcohol and body, contributing to a clean and persistent finish.
As Matt Kramer states, the structure of the wine — and not just its temperature — is what keeps the wine alive:
“Structure can refer to acidity, sugar, alcohol… each are preservatives that ward off oxidation and decay.”
A wine with an unbalanced structure, even when chilled, can feel “flat” or lifeless.
Terroir, Grapes, and Winemaking
Freshness also comes from the vineyard.
Cooler climates, higher altitudes, and poor or granite soils favor more vibrant, mineral white wines.
Critic Jamie Goode described a white wine from Languedoc as “rich and fresh at the same time,” emphasizing that richness and freshness can coexist if the wine is made with healthy grapes from the right varieties.
The choice of grape variety is key:
• Arinto, Loureiro, or Rabigato bring natural acidity.
• Chardonnay or Antão Vaz need careful winemaking to preserve freshness.
Techniques like:
• Soft pressing,
• Fermentation at low temperatures,
• No bâtonnage, or
• Moderate (or zero) use of oak
are tools that winemakers use to preserve the vibrant and light character of a wine that is both rich and fresh at the same time.
The Wisdom of Those Who Know the Douro Like No One Else
In the Douro, freshness is not always easy to find — but it can be naturally found in the right vineyards.
As Cristiano van Zeller explains:
“The true freshness of our white wines comes from altitude and the age of the vines. The deep roots of these century-old vines help maintain natural acidity, even in warmer years. Nature does its work — and we just respect it.”
It is precisely this philosophy that gives rise to wines like CV Branco and VZ Branco. Made from very old vines, these are whites that combine minerality and longevity — with freshness felt on the palate and not just in the bottle’s temperature.
João Paulo Martins: The Right Whites for Summer
Portuguese critic João Paulo Martins often highlights fresh white wines as ideal for the summer, not because they are served ice-cold, but because they have:
• Prominent acidity,
• Vibrant varietal profiles (such as Alvarinho and Loureiro),
• And moderate alcohol content.
So What is “Freshness” in a White Wine?
We can think of it as the sum of:
• High acidity
• Citrusy or floral aromas
• Light or medium body
• Low alcohol content (ideally below 13%)
• Dry and mineral finish
Low temperature helps, yes. But the wine itself must have intrinsic freshness.
Conclusion: More Than a Chilled Glass, a Living Wine
The next time you pour a white wine, think: Am I tasting only the chill from the fridge? Or was this wine crafted to vibrate, even at 10°C? As Jancis Robinson said, we shouldn’t anesthetize the wine with ice. True freshness comes from the acidity, terroir, and the winemaker’s touch — and continues with the pleasure of each sip.
