KEEPING IT COOL // how to keep your white wine chilled

There are a few things in life I just can’t abide. Bad manners, men with long fingernails, and warm white wine. Shudders.

I like my wine so chilled it puts a layer of frost on the outside of glass. The moment it heads towards room temperature, my enjoyment turns lukewarm too. Returning it to the fridge between top ups is one answer, but the constant jumping up and down cuts into my wine-drinking time. 

So what do I do?

HOW TO KEEP WHITE WINE CHILLED:

There’s the icy bucket option, but I can’t stand the way the bottle drips frigid water down the inside of my arm every time I lift it out to pour. I’ve even tried ice cubes in my wine, but of course they melt and turn my wine into a watery version of its former self.

Sigh. My life is SO hard. 

Then, just as I feared I’d have to turn my back on white wine, there came a saviour – the Corkcicle (Google for stockists). 

Basically it’s a reusable plastic ice cube shaped like an icicle, with a cork topper. Place it in the bottle and the frozen bit works to keep your wine cool, without diluting it. 

The photo above shows it in action a couple of weekends ago; it was a stinking hot day, but the Corkcicle speared my bottle of Pinot Grigio and kept it impressively cool.

I just took it out each time to pour, then when we finished I simply rinsed it off, refroze it and it was good to go again.

I thought it did a great job, especially in such hot weather. However, I believe in rigorous quality control, and as such will continue to put the Corkcicle through its paces. With that in mind, pass me that bottle will you?

You can buy the Corkcicle for around £19.99 to keep your wine cool, or you can just keep drinking warm white wine. Whatevs.

• Corkcicle was provided for review

READ: How to Pick a Good Italian Wine & Impress Your Friends at the Same Time