The difference between a good and a great glass of wine doesn’t always hinge on the grape, the terroir or the producer. Sometimes, to elevate a wine to dizzy new heights involves something much easier to control; the temperature at which it’s served.
Drinking a superior glass of wine is an experience that tells a story. Every wine has its own unique flavour and aroma, its character, bouquet and essence, and some of these defining characteristics are only perceptible at the correct temperature.
At chilled temperatures, for instance, the acids in the wine that produce full, rich flavours become more noticeable on the palate. The primary notes of fruity sweetness will give way to subtler tastes that are unique to each wine.
If you came here looking for a catch all rule, however, you’re going to be disappointed. The ideal temperature varies according to the type of wine you are drinking, and knowing the right temperature will dramatically improve your enjoyment. While you should never serve wine above 20ºC, the proper range for different wines varies considerably. Some are perfect at 18ºC, while a chilly 6ºC brings out the best in others.
To dig a little deeper, here’s the IDEAL guide to serving wine at the right temperature.
HOW TO KEEP WINE AT THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE
The iconic image of a bottle of wine chilling in a bucket of ice certainly represents one popular way to cool wine. Whilst it’s not the most effective way to chill wine, it’s much better than dropping ice cubes in your glass, that’s for sure, which dilutes the wine and doesn’t change the temperature in a reliable, consistent way.
However, using the ice bucket method leaves you with little control and a lot of room for error. Additionally, imagine serving a nice dinner with multiple courses and a bottle of wine to accompany each. While your friends and family are enjoying each other’s company, you’ll be troubleshooting wine temperatures. And no one wants that.
Read: How to drink less wine but enjoy drinking it more
TRY A WINE FRIDGE
A more effortless, convenient way to keep your wine cool is via a dedicated wine fridge, which uses the latest cooling technology to maintain precise, consistent temperatures.
There’s a variety of models, from small, economical wine fridges that are perfect for the home to larger varieties that can chill hundreds of bottles. Most include two temperature-regulated compartments which you can use to keep red wine and white wine at the perfect temperature. Of course, that begs the question of what the perfect temperatures are…
HOW TO ENJOY THE TASTE AND AROMA OF RED WINE
The full-bodied flavour and aroma of a good red means that it doesn’t benefit from as much of a chill as other wines. While it’s necessary to drink it below room temperature to appreciate the nuanced flavour of red wine, the temperature range is quite forgiving. The perfect serve for red wine is anywhere between 12-18ºC, but this is variety dependent.
Lighter bodied reds with higher levels of acidity, Pinot Noir, for instance, benefit from being at the lower end of that temperature range whilst tannic, fuller bodied affairs, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, reveal their complexities when a little warmer.
BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOUR WHITE WINE
White wines are lighter and sweeter than reds and benefit from a deeper chill. A temperature between 8ºC and 12ºC will balance the flavour profile of your white wine and make it a refreshing rather than claggy drink. This range is a bit higher than typical fridge temperatures; another reason why investing in a dedicated fridge is a wise move if you take your wine drinking seriously.
DESSERT WINES ARE BEST SERVED COLD
As the sweetest wines, dessert wines and champagnes thrive at the coldest temperatures. A cool 6-8ºC gives their flavour a refined edge to accompany the refreshing, palate-cleansing sweetness of these beverages.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRECISION
Some wine lovers will go so far as using a thermometer to measure their wine to within a fraction of a degree before consuming it. However, one degree more or less isn’t going to make or break a wine that’s within the ideal temperature range either way.
Besides that, approaching serving temperature in this way actually misses the point to some extent. Even if you’re convinced that Pinot Noir reaches new heights at precisely 16.5ºC and store it at that temperature, it’s going to be warmer when you drink it. The act of pouring wine into a glass will already cause the temperature to start rising, which results in a serving temperature that’s higher than the storage temperature.
That said, precision is valuable. The point of precision is that you can compensate for the difference between storage temperature and serving temperature. For instance, the heat of a summer day will immediately drag a 18ºC red out of the ideal range. Accommodating these environmental concerns is just one of the ways that you can use a wine fridge or cooler to enjoy every glass to the fullest.
Now you’ve got the temperature just right, check out these 5 IDEAL tips for storing your wine to guarantee longevity.