Serving temperature is an essential criterion when it comes to enjoying a wine through the influence it has on its taste and aromas.

Why is the temperature of the wine important when drinking?

The correct serving temperature of the wine depending on the colour

• The correct serving temperature for red wine
• The correct serving temperature for white wine
• The correct serving temperature for rose wine

 The correct serving temperature of the wine depending on the taste and age

• The correct serving temperature of wines sec
• The correct serving temperature for semi-dry wines
• The right serving temperature for sweet wines
• The correct serving temperature for sparkling wines
• The correct serving temperature of the wines depending on the age

 The secrets of proper wine serving

• How to cool or heat the wine correctly
• How to properly hold the bottle and glass of wine during serving
• Special devices for cooling and checking the temperature of the wine

Why is the temperature of the wine important when drinking

A wine shows its true character, structure, subtle notes and peculiarities related to aromas only at the right temperature. On the other hand, if you choose to drink a wine that is too cold or too warm, all those particular properties are annihilated and you might think that the wine has nothing special.

Temperature is extremely important to feel all the subtleties that are hidden in a glass of wine. It is not enough to know how to drink red or white wine, you must take into account other criteria to enjoy it at its true value. 

The correct serving temperature of the wine depending on the colour

Whether you prefer a dry red wine or a sweet white wine, temperature remains an essential factor in enjoying a wine. We will show you firstly what you need to know about serving wine according to color.

The correct serving temperature for red wine

Red wine should not be chilled to discover its aromas. Red and light wines are tasted at a temperature between 13 and 15 degrees Celsius, while red, hard and full-bodied wines are served at room temperature: 17-18 degrees Celsius.

The correct serving temperature for white wine

White wine is served chilled. At high temperatures it may seem tasteless, so it is recommended to keep it cold before consumption. Generally, white wine is served at temperatures between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius. Sweet and white wines are served at an even lower temperature -5-8 degrees Celsius.

The correct serving temperature for rose wine

Like white wine, rose wine is served cold. Sweet rose is served colder, at a temperature of 7-9 degrees Celsius, and dry and semi-dry types can be served at 9-12 degrees Celsius.

The correct serving temperature of the wine depending on the taste and age

Not only color is important when it comes to the optimum serving temperature. A dry wine cannot be served at the same temperature as the sweet one, because the taste experience is strongly influenced by this factor.

The correct serving temperature for dry wines

Dry wines are served at a higher temperature than sweet ones. In the case of dry whites, the right temperature is 10 degrees Celsius. In the case of red ones, the temperature is higher and reaches up to about 18 degrees Celsius.

The correct serving temperature for semi-dry wines

Semi-dry white wines are drunk at 8-9 degrees Celsius, and red wines at a temperature of approximately 18 degrees Celsius.

The right serving temperature for sweet wines

Sweet wines are served colder. Therefore, a sweet white wine is drunk at 7 degrees Celsius, and a sweet red wine at about 15 degrees Celsius.

The correct serving temperature for sparkling wines

Sparkling wines are usually served chilled. Prosecco dry is drunk at 8-10 degrees Celsius, as well as champagne and any other wine that is prepared by the Champenoise method.

The correct serving temperature of the wines depending on the age

The age of the wine is also important when we talk about the optimal serving temperature. Young wines are served colder, while old wines are served at higher temperatures, about 18 degrees Celsius.

The secrets of proper wine serving

Wine is a very special drink, a "living" and versatile drink, which can show its richness, if you treat it as it deserves or may seem devoid of charm, if it is not tasted in optimal conditions. There are some clear rules and not at all difficult to follow when it comes to serving wine.

How to cool or heat wine properly

The wine should not be suddenly cooled or heated, the temperature change should take place gradually, in order to preserve its aromas. Put it in the fridge and wait for it to reach the optimum temperature. Be especially careful when cooling in the freezer, because if it starts to freeze, the wine loses all its aromas. Ice cubes are a viable solution for cooling wine, but they should not be kept in the glass until melted because they dilute the wine and rob it of aroma. Put 2 ice cubes in the glass, rotate the wine in it, then remove the cubes.

In the case of wines that are served at higher temperatures, the rule is the same. Do not place the wine bottle near a heat source, but allow the wine to gradually reach room temperature. In general, however, wines that are served at 18-20 degrees Celsius can be tasted immediately after you take them off the store shelf.

How to properly hold the bottle and glass of wine during serving

During serving, the wine label must always be visible to the person to whom the wine is poured into the glass. Also, the bottle and glass should not come into contact when pouring wine. The bottle is held at the lower end, and the glass must be held by the foot. After a sufficient amount of wine has been poured into the glass, the bottle is tilted up to about 45 degrees, followed by a short and easy rotation, to avoid drops of wine falling on the table.

Special devices for cooling and checking the temperature of the wine

Because temperature is such an important factor, special devices for cooling and checking the temperature of wine have also appeared on the market. You have several types of appliances at your disposal - either those in which you place the bottle and set the temperature, or some devices that you place on top of the bottle and that cool the wine when you pour it into the glass.

To check the temperature of the drink, the best tool is the wine thermometer, which can be digital or classic.

For some wines you will find the right serving temperature on the label. In fact, the label can reveal a lot of important information on how to enjoy that wine, as we note in this article.

You might want to have a look on CoolerSomm, created by wine lovers for wine lovers who wanted to have one central resource for the very best products in the wine world. They have carefully curated a range of wine coolers, glassware and various wine products that will truly enhance the enjoyment of wine.