Serving Wine at the Proper Temperature
Temperature acts as an edit for the structure of wine; cold temperatures mask astringency and acidity, while room temperature allows aromatics to bloom. As a rule of thumb, white wines should be cool enough to sharpen their acidity, while reds need a slight chill to keep their fruit forward and their alcohol from feeling sharp on the palate.
Stop serving red wine at room temperature.
Modern home heating makes room temperature far too hot for wine. If your house is above 70°F, you are likely dulling the flavor and emphasizing the burn of the alcohol.
- Wine thermometer
- Ice bucket
- Glassware with thin rims
What goes in.
- As neededDry sparkling wines (40-45°F)
- As neededLight whites and roses (45-50°F)
- As neededFull-bodied whites and light reds (50-55°F)
- As neededHeavy reds (60-65°F)
The 20-minute rule
Pull a bottle of red from the pantry and put it in the fridge 20 minutes before opening. Conversely, pull a white from the fridge 20 minutes before serving to let the temperature rise slightly.
The method.
Assess the cellar environment
If you do not have a dedicated wine cooler, assume your kitchen or pantry is too warm. Store bottles on their sides in the coolest part of the house.
Use an ice bucket for rapid cooling
To bring a bottle down in temperature quickly, use a bucket filled with equal parts ice and water. The water contact ensures the entire surface of the glass chills evenly, which is significantly faster than placing it in a freezer.
Check the temperature at the glass
Pour a small amount to taste. If the wine feels 'flat' or the alcohol smell is aggressive, it is too warm. If it lacks any discernible smell or nuance, it is too cold.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Never put a bottle in the freezer to cool it quickly; you risk forgetting it and causing the liquid to expand, which will push the cork out or crack the bottle.
If you are served a red that is too warm, holding the glass by the stem helps keep the heat from your hand from transferring into the liquid.
Decanting a red wine that is slightly too cold helps it warm up to the ambient air temperature faster while simultaneously letting it breathe.
The ones that keep coming up.
What happens if I serve wine at the wrong temperature?
Warm wine emphasizes the alcohol and hides the nuance of the fruit. Overly chilled wine suppresses the aromatics, making the wine taste thin and closed.
Does the type of glass matter for temperature?
Yes, thinner glass rims transfer heat from your lips differently than thick glass, influencing how you perceive the temperature of the first sip.
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