Aug 25 2007

At what temperatures should wine be served?

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Ideal Wine Serving Temperatures

The type of wine you are serving will greatly influence the temperature at which you should serve it.  At the most basic level, as you probably already know, you should serve white wines chilled, and red wines at room temperature.  The temperature at which you serve your wine will greatly influence its taste.  It is for this reason that cheap wines may on occasion be served at slightly cooler temperatures (to hide their sub-optimal tastes), while with more expensive wines great care is taken to let them achieve an optimal, almost warm temperature; thereby allowing them to breathe, and their aromas to be released.  Note also that cooler temperatures will reduce the bite of alcohol in wine.

 

Serving Temperatures
Category Varietal Fahrenheit Celcius
Full-bodied reds Port, Shiraz, Red Burgundy, Cabernet, Rioja, Pinot Noir 61-65 16-18
Medium-bodied reds Chianti, Zinfandel 59 15
Light-bodied reds Tawny/NV Port, Madeira 56 13
Full-bodied whites  Beaujolais, Rosé 54-55 12
Medium-bodied whites Viognier, Sauternes 50-53 10-11.5
Light-bodied whites, dessert wines, Rosé, Sherry Chardonnay, Riesling, Champagne  45-50 7-10
Ice wines   40-43 4.5-6

 

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