Mastering Wine Serving Temperatures
Setting off into the wine world is an exciting adventure! But hey, let’s not forget one super important and often overlooked thing: serving temperature! It’s like the secret sauce that makes every sip taste extra awesome. So, in this guide, we’re spilling all the beans on how to serve wine at just the right temp, so each sip tastes the best it can do.
White Wines: Getting The Cool Correct.
White wines, celebrated for their crispness and refreshing zing, are best enjoyed when served cool—not straight from the fridge like an ice block. To truly appreciate each varietal, it’s crucial to hit the right temperature. Many folks pull their whites out at a chilly 4°C to 6°C, but this can mute some of the wine’s finer flavours. Dive into the guide below to discover the ideal serving temperatures for different white wines, ensuring you get the most out of each glass.
Unoaked Chardonnay: Radiating with purity and vibrancy, Unoaked Chardonnay shines brightest when served between 8°C to 10°C, allowing its pristine fruit flavours and lively acidity to take centre stage. So if it’s been in the fridge, leave it out for 15 mins.
Oaked Chardonnay: Embracing a luxurious interplay of creamy textures and toasty notes, Oaked Chardonnay delights the senses at temperatures ranging from 10°C to 12°C, revealing its opulent layers with each sumptuous sip. Leave out of the fridge for 20 mins.
Sauvignon Blanc: With its zesty acidity and vibrant fruit flavours, Sauvignon Blanc dazzles when served between 6°C to 8°C, inviting a refreshing burst of citrus and tropical nuances. Leave out of the fridge for about 5 mins.
Riesling: Renowned for its aromatic intensity and striking acidity, Riesling reaches its zenith at 8°C to 12°C, allowing its intricate layers of stone fruit and floral aromatics to unfold gracefully. Depending on how much residual sugar there is. The sweeter it is the colder it should be, so if you see the words “off-dry” or “late harvest’ it’s best at 8c, so don’t leave out of the fridge for too long. Drier styles leave out for 15 mins or so.
Pinot Grigio / Gris: Crisp, clean, and effortlessly elegant, Pinot Grigio captivates at a cool 7°C to 9°C, accentuating its delicate floral and citrus notes.
Verdelho: This tropical gem dazzles with its lively fruit flavours and zesty acidity. To unlock its full potential, serve Verdelho chilled to perfection, ideally between 8°C to 10°C. This temperature preserves the wine’s crispness while allowing its exotic fruit notes to shine through with every sip.
Chenin Blanc: This versatile white wine captivates with its crisp acidity and vibrant fruit notes. To unlock its full potential, serve Chenin Blanc chilled to perfection, ideally between 8°C to 10°C. This temperature preserves its refreshing qualities while allowing its delicate aromatics to shine through with every sip.
General Sweet Wines (e.g., Late Harvest): Rich and luscious, sweet wines captivate at a cool 6°C to 8°C, balancing their decadent sweetness with a refreshing lift on the palate.
Red Wines: Aren’t meant to be served warm.
Red wines are like a velvet hug in a glass, offering rich textures and complex flavours that invite you to kick back and indulge. But here’s the catch: serving them at the right temperature is key to unlocking their full magic. In the summer, many folks make the rookie mistake of serving their reds too warm. When they say ‘serve at room temperature,’ it’s a nod to those French cellars where it was cool underground. They’d bring the wine upstairs to warm it up a bit. But here in Australia, with our toasty living rooms, it’s often too warm. So, if your red is lounging at room temperature, pop it in the fridge for a quick chill before serving. It’ll thank you with all its rich, nuanced flavours perfectly in check!
Shiraz (Syrah): Robust and full-bodied, Shiraz reveals its opulent layers when served between 16°C to 18°C, allowing its bold fruit and spice notes to resonate.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Firm and structured, Cabernet Sauvignon unfolds gracefully at temperatures ranging from 16°C to 18°C, showcasing its luscious dark fruit and subtle herbal undertones.
Merlot: Silky and approachable, Merlot thrives at a slightly cooler 14°C to 16°C, highlighting its plush texture and ripe berry flavours.
Malbec: Intense and velvety, Malbec flourishes at temperatures around 15°C to 17°C, revealing its deep purple hues and layers of dark fruit with each expressive sip.
Tempranillo: Elegant,earthy & Savoury. Tempranillo shines at a moderate 16°C to 18°C, allowing its supple tannins and vibrant red fruit to harmonise seamlessly.
Zinfandel: Bursting with ripe berry flavours and spice, Zinfandel delights at a cosy 16°C, showcasing its bold personality and lingering finish.
Pinot Noir: Elegant and nuanced, Pinot Noir flourishes at a gentle 14°C, unveiling its delicate red fruit and earthy complexities with finesse. If being stored at room temperature place in the fridge for about 30 to 45 minutes.
Nero d’Avola: Rich and robust, Nero d’Avola thrives at s temperature of 16°C, unveiling its dark fruit intensity and hints of Mediterranean herbs.
Durif (Petite Sirah): Full-bodied and powerful, Durif commands attention at a warming 16°C to 18°C, revealing its brooding dark fruit and peppery spice with each velvety sip.
Grenache: This cherished red wine showcases ripe berry flavours with a touch of spice. To bring out its full character, serve Grenache slightly cooler, around 15°C. This temperature keeps the fruity vibrancy intact while letting the smooth tannins blend beautifully.
As a general rule of thumb, the bigger the body the closer to 18c it should be. But don’t serve a red wine at 24c, you are selling it well short of it’s potential.
Sparkling Wines: Bubbles Delight
Bubbly and vibrant, sparkling wines bring a touch of celebration to any occasion. To keep their lively fizz and crisp acidity at their best, make sure to serve them chilled to perfection.
Sparkling: We can’t call it Champagne, but essentially, we are talking about the same stuff. The epitome of elegance, Sparkling dazzles at a frosty 5°C to 9°C, ensuring its effervescence dances merrily on the palate while accentuating its refined citrus and brioche notes. The rule is the more Chardonnay based it is the better it is closer to 9c, more Pinot Noir based Sparkling is better colder, but experiment for yourself.
Prosecco: Delightfully approachable, Prosecco shines at a refreshing 7°C to 9°C, embodying a symphony of orchard fruits and floral nuances with every effervescent sip. A sweeter Prosecco should be closer to 7c,
Sparkling Rosé: Blushing with charm, Sparkling Rosé enchants at a cool 6°C to 8°C, balancing its vibrant berry flavours with a crisp, invigorating finish.
Sparkling Shiraz or Other Red: This lively red sparkler is packed with rich flavours. To get the most out of its complex profile, serve it cool, but not too cold—ideally between 8°C and 12°C. This range ensures the wine’s bold berry notes and delicate spice are at their best while keeping the bubbles crisp and invigorating. As the wine warms slightly, its fruitiness will become even more pronounced, revealing deeper layers of flavour.
