Generally
It is well-known that the ideal temperature for storing wine is 55°F or 13°C. What is a little less well-known is that there are ideal temperatures for serving wine also, but it varies according to the wine.
If you serve a wine too cool, the flavors of the wine will be hidden. If you serve a wine too hot, the alcohol becomes the predominant feature of the wine.
Ideal Temperatures
Below is a chart displaying the ideal serving temperatures for various types of wine along with some other common temperatures for reference. These temperatures are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. However, there are two things to note:
- No wines should be served at room temperature, as it’s too hot.
- No wine should be served directly from the refrigerator, as it’s too cold.
What It Preserves
Serving light, dry white wines and rosés at the appropriate temperature preserves their freshness and fruitiness. Serving sparkling wines at the correct temperature not only preserves their freshness, but also helps maintain more delicate bubbles.
Because sweetness is accentuated with warmer temperatures, chilling a white dessert wine helps preserve its balance without subduing its rich aromas.