It’s Halloween month, and nothing is scarier than the stuff people confidently say about wine at dinner parties. “Screw caps are cheap.” “Red wine at room temperature.” “Older is always better.” Wah, some of these myths have been haunting us for decades.

So this month the Geeks are grabbing the holy water (fine, a corkscrew) and exorcising seven of the most stubborn wine myths. Each one comes with a Geek Pick so you can test the truth yourself. For science, of course.

1. “Legs (or tears) show a wine’s quality”

The truth: Those streaks running down the glass are physics, not prestige. They’re caused by alcohol evaporating faster than water at the edge of the glass. More legs usually just means more alcohol, or more sugar. A wine can have beautiful legs and still taste like cough syrup.

So next time someone swirls dramatically and says “good legs”, you can smile and say “ah, higher alcohol.” Very atas.

Geek Pick: NV Cantina Puiatti Blanc de Blancs Metodo Classico Extra Brut. Bone-dry Italian bubbles from 100% Chardonnay: lemon zest, green apple and bread crust. Pour a glass, watch the legs, then judge it by the taste.

2. “Sulphites give you the headache”

The truth: Sulphites get blamed for everything, but they’re rarely the villain. Dried fruit such as apricots typically contains far more sulphites than a glass of wine. A small number of people are genuinely sulphite-sensitive, often those with asthma, but for most of us the more likely culprits are alcohol and other natural compounds in wine, plus that third glass on an empty stomach.

Geek tip: drink a glass of water for every glass of wine, and eat something. Your morning self will thank you. If you have a medical concern, check with your doctor.

Geek Pick: 2023 Banfi Sciandor Moscato d’Asti DOCG. Fragrant, gently fizzy and lower in alcohol than most wines. Pour it with a glass of water and something to eat.

3. “Screw caps mean cheap wine”

The truth: Screw caps are a closure, not a quality rating. New Zealand and Australia bottle many of their best wines under screw cap because it keeps the wine fresh and takes the cork out of the picture, and with it the most common cause of “cork taint”, that musty, wet-cardboard smell that ruins a small share of cork-sealed bottles.

Screw caps are especially good for fresh, aromatic whites you want to taste young and zingy. Bonus: no hunting for the corkscrew at a chalet.

Geek Pick: 2024 Noble Fellows Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand. Explosive Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc: passionfruit, lime and fresh-cut grass. Open, pour, done.

4. “Older wine is always better”

The truth: Most wine is made to be enjoyed within a few years of the vintage. Only a small slice of wines, think serious Bordeaux, Barolo or top Champagne, is built to improve for decades. Keep a fresh rosé or a zesty white too long and it just gets tired.

If the label says 2024, that’s not a warning. For many styles it’s a promise.

Geek Pick: 2024 Chastel Samson “J’Vois La Vie En Rose”. Pale, dry and stylish Rhône rosé from the 2024 vintage. Drink it now, while it’s at its brightest.

5. “Rosé is only for summer”

The truth: We live in Singapore. It is always summer. Rosé is one of the most food-friendly wines there is: brilliant with seafood, chicken rice, Thai salads and anything off the grill. Drink pink in October, December, whenever.

Geek Pick: 2024 Château Les Valentines L’Effronté Magnum (1.5L), Provence, France. Bold, playful Provence rosé from Château Les Valentines, in party size. Proof that pink is a year-round colour.

6. “Serve red wine at room temperature”

The truth: That advice comes from cool European homes, not a Singapore HDB flat at 30°C. Most reds taste best at about 12–18°C. Warm red wine tastes flat, boozy and jammy, like someone left your kopi on the dashboard.

Geek tip: put your red in the fridge for 20–30 minutes before dinner. Light reds like Pinot Noir can take a little longer. You’ll be shocked how much fresher they taste.

Geek Pick: 2022 Te Henga Pinot Noir. Light, juicy Kiwi Pinot Noir that practically begs to be served slightly chilled.

7. “Sweet wine is for beginners”

The truth: Some of the most famous wines in the world are sweet. Hungary’s Tokaji Aszú was poured in royal courts for centuries, and great sweet wines balance their sugar with bright acidity, so they taste rich, not sticky. Serve them with blue cheese, fruit tarts or kueh lapis and watch the table go quiet.

Geek Pick: 2020 Oremus Tokaji Late Harvest. Lush, lively Late Harvest, Aszú’s easy-going cousin: honey, apricot and citrus with a fresh finish.

Myth-busting cheat sheet

• Headache? Think water and food before blaming sulphites.
• Legs = alcohol or sugar, not quality.
• Screw cap = freshness, not cheapness.
• Most wines are made to drink young.
• Rosé season is 365 days a year here.
• Chill your reds 20–30 minutes in our weather.
• Great sweet wine is a grown-up pleasure.

Now go forth and correct your uncle at the next gathering. Gently. Happy Halloween from the Geeks!

For persons aged 18 and above. Please drink responsibly.