04. People and Wine — Each Has Its Own Temperature

Wine flows into the Glencairn glass -- deep ruby radiance, bewitching color. Swirling the glass gently. A vibrant aroma flies into the nostrils. Thirst rushes in. Lifting the glass to the lips. Slowly tilting. Wine flows over the tongue. Sweetness and smoothness. Closing eyes, sketching an image. "Director, are you not hot?" This morning the deputy next to me gives a rebuke. My appearance in a thin sweater with a lightweight goose-down vest layered over it apparently looks very hot to others. The wine serving temperature insight: white wine is served too cold when straight from the refrigerator (4-6 degrees suppresses aroma and flavor); red wine is served too warm when at normal room temperature in Korean summer (25+ degrees amplifies alcohol and reduces freshness); ideal white wine serving temperature is 8-12 degrees; ideal light red (Pinot Noir, Gamay) is 12-15 degrees; full red (Cabernet, Syrah) is 16-18 degrees; the wine has an ideal temperature at which it expresses itself best, and forcing it to a different temperature suppresses its true character. People also have their own temperature: some people are warm (emotionally open, expressive) and some are cool (reserved, analytical) -- neither is better; the mistake is serving people at the wrong temperature by expecting them to be warm when they are naturally cool, or demanding coolness from naturally warm people; good relationships involve accepting people at their natural temperature and adjusting your interaction style accordingly rather than demanding they change their fundamental nature.