Best Wine Serving Temperatures

You just spent $20, $30, $40 maybe more on that great bottle of wine. Now make sure to get the best possible flavors and aromas out of it, by serving your wine at the best serving temperatures. Serve it too cold and the flavors and aromas will be muted. Serve too warm and it will come across flat and heavy.

White Wine:  45 to 55 degrees

Red Wine: 55 to 65 degrees

Best Serving Temperature for White Wine

There are optimal ranges for drinking white wine. Think of it on a spectrum. The lightest bodied white should be coldest to the fullest bodied white as warmest in the range.

Since Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are on the lighter end, they are best served at 45°-50°F. Chardonnay is full-bodied and best at 50°-55°F. Keep in mind that sparkling wines are best on the very cold end around 45°F.

How to Chill White Wine

For white wine stored in your refrigerator, just pull it out about 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve. Refrigerators are normally set around 40°F. A bit of warm up time is needed to reach the ideal temperature range for white wine.

To chill your white wine quickly, place it in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving. Or you can always pop it in the freezer for a quicker chill about 30 minutes.

Best Serving Temperature for Red Wine

The popular belief is that red wine should be served at room temperature. This outdated rule-of-thumb originated centuries ago when wine was served in drafty old English castles. Our typical room temperatures today are not ideal for our precious red wine.

The best serving temperature for red wine ranges between 55°-65°F. The light-bodied red wines are best served on the cooler end of that range than the full-bodied reds.

Pinot Noir should be served between 55°-60°F. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah are best served between 60°-65°F.

How to Chill Red Wine

Place your red wine in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes before you are ready to serve. This will definitely make a big difference in the taste and aromas of the wine.  

Temperature Makes All the Difference

Ideal serving temperatures for wine can make such a difference in how the wine tastes. Remember to take the extra step to chill your wine to that optimal temperature range. It will be a game changer in how much you and your guests enjoy the wine. It will even pair better with your meal because your wine is expressing its ideal flavors that match with that ideal food preparation.