Which of the following includes wines that should all be well chilled?
A. Marsanne, Counoise, Malmsey Madeira, Chardonnay
B. Barzac, Oloroso Sherry, Assyrtiko, Eiswein
C. Fino Sherry, Semillon, Albariño, Savennières
D. Riesling, Tokaji, Amarone, Beaumes-de-Venise
C.
Answer: C. This question might have been a bit hard because the “best serving temperature” is somewhat personal. In general, fortified wines like Malmsey Madeira and Oloroso Sherry are considered best—not when well chilled—but rather, at “cellar” temperature (in the mid-60s F.) Sweet wines (Barzac, Eiswein, Tokaji, and Beaumes-de-Venise) are usually served on the cool side, but again, not super chilled. However, option C above lists wines that pretty much everyone agrees are best when served well chilled—Fino (a crisp, dry style of Sherry) the white wines Semillon and Albariño, and the French (Loire) white Savennières which is made from chenin blanc grapes.