At what temperature should wine be served?

WHAT IS THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE TO SERVE WINE?

Have you ever noticed how heat exacerbates the smells of nature? Smell and taste are indeed primarily chemical reactions. And in wine, just like in chemistry, temperature plays a considerable role! The taste and aromas will express themselves differently at various temperatures. This delicate balance can make or break a tasting and is crucial for appreciating a fine bottle to its full potential. What is the ideal temperature for serving wine? Although temperature is crucial both for storage and tasting, it is far from being mastered by everyone!

Why Temperature Affects the Tasting Qualities of Wine

Temperature simply alters the chemical balance of wine and affects how it reacts on the tongue for taste and in the nose for odors.

A lower temperature will tighten the tannins and enhance the expression of acidity and bitterness. Conversely, a more ambient temperature will open up the tannins and reveal the aromas. If the temperature is too warm, it will inhibit the aromas and highlight the alcohol.

Just take three glasses of the same wine at different temperatures (cold, ambient, slightly too warm) during a tasting, and you'll notice that the three experiences will be completely different.

Tasting temperatures will vary depending on the grape variety (more or less tannic, more or less acidic) and thus the type of wine, as well as the aromas and flavors that are worth highlighting. The structure, complexity, and balance of the wine are key in determining the ideal serving temperature.

Serving Temperatures by Type of Wine

Thus, red wines, with their more robust and complex structure due to their tannin content, are typically served the "warmest." They should generally be served at a temperature between 15 and 16 degrees Celsius. A particularly tannic and complex red wine, such as great Bordeaux, may be served at a higher temperature of 17 to 19 degrees Celsius when it reaches its peak. A young or high-alcohol red wine should be served around 15 degrees Celsius to prevent the alcohol from being too prominent.

Be aware that when decanting or aerating your red wine, it may warm up by one or two degrees depending on the room temperature. Therefore, the bottle should be taken out of the cellar a few degrees below the serving temperature! White and rosé wines, on the other hand, should be served at a temperature that highlights their aromas, acidity, and sometimes their bitterness.

Mineral and energetic white wines should be served at a temperature between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius to express their minerality and fruity aromas. Drier white wines should be served between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius. Sweet and semi-sweet wines are best served slightly colder, between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius.

Finally, champagnes, sparkling wines, and other effervescent wines should also be served between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius to preserve the aromas and avoid excessive fizzing. If champagne is too warm, the carbon dioxide will build up in the neck and forcefully escape when opened, resulting in a guaranteed foam. A high-quality vintage champagne can be served between 11 and 12 degrees Celsius to highlight the specific aromas of the vintage.

To maintain proper serving temperatures, it is ideal to have a wine cellar with the right temperatures and a precise thermometer. For keeping the bottle on the table (but not for chilling it), an ice bucket is useful. It is important not to subject your bottles to rapid temperature changes. The same goes for the refrigerator, which can maintain the right temperature for white and sparkling wines before serving but can cool a bottle too quickly if it was initially too warm.

FAQ - Serving temperature

At what temperature should red wine be served?

Serve most red wines between 15 and 16°C. Tannic, complex great Bordeaux can be served at their peak between 17 and 19°C, while a young or high-alcohol red is better around 15°C so the alcohol does not dominate.

At what temperature should champagne and sparkling wines be served?

Serve champagne, crémant and other sparkling wines between 8 and 10°C. This coolness preserves the aromas and prevents foaming, when carbon dioxide builds up in the neck. A vintage champagne is best served between 11 and 12°C to reveal its vintage aromas.

At what temperature should white and rosé wines be served?

Mineral white wines are served between 12 and 14°C to express their minerality and fruit, and drier whites between 10 and 12°C. Sweet and semi-sweet wines call for a little more chill, between 8 and 10°C. Rosés are served cold, at a temperature that highlights their aromas and acidity.

Why does temperature change the taste of wine?

Temperature alters the chemical balance of wine. A lower temperature tightens the tannins and brings out acidity and bitterness, while a more ambient temperature opens the tannins and releases the aromas. Too warm, and the wine's aromas fade behind the alcohol.

Should you take a red wine out before decanting?

Yes. When decanting or aerating, a red wine can warm by one or two degrees depending on the room temperature. So take the bottle out of the cellar a few degrees below your target serving temperature.