When it comes to serving temperature, red wine is sometimes misunderstood. Many people believe that all red wines should be served chilled. This, on the other hand, is a relic of the past. Many red wines taste better when served cold.
Red wine chilling changes its general structure and flavor, resulting in a completely new wine tasting experience. Learn why red wines should be chilled and which reds are best served chilled.
Should Red Wine Be Served Room Temperature?
The general consensus is that red wines should be served at room temperature. This remark, however, is a little deceptive. The recommended serving temperature for red wine is between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, while room temperature is about 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, if your house is 68 degrees, your red wine may be at the correct temperature just sitting on the counter. Most houses, on the other hand, aren’t kept at exactly room temperature. Many red wines, in particular, are better served chilled.
There are a number of reasons why red wine should be served chilled. Yes, a glass of cold wine may be incredibly pleasant, particularly on a hot summer night. But there’s a lot more to chilling wine than that. The temperature at which wine is kept has an impact on its flavor and general structure, or at least how we perceive it when we drink it.
The structure of red wine weakens when served at temperatures over 66 degrees. The tannins and acidity in glass are referred to as the wine’s structure. The features that determine how we taste and experience the wine are referred to as structure, not flavor. It’s more difficult to detect these qualities in warm wines. The alcohol concentration of the wine also becomes more obvious, and it may overpower the wine’s tastes and other qualities.
The flavors become more focused, the alcohol is less noticeable, and the structure is tighter and more immediately visible when red wine is served slightly cooled. If red wines are served too cold, the smells and tastes are muted, and the tannins are harsh on the tongue. When it comes to red wine, the sweet spot is just below room temperature but not too chilly.
What Is The Perfect Serving Temperature For Red Wine?
The appropriate temperature for pouring red wine is a point of contention among sommeliers. The ideal temperature for red wines is between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, according to popular belief.
Some red wines, on the other hand, benefit from being cooled even further, to around 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit. However, we never advocate dipping below 55 degrees Fahrenheit since the wine’s tastes and aromas will be muted and it will taste astringent.
The appropriate temperature for red wine is determined by the wine’s qualities. Reds that are lighter and more fruity benefit from being cooled more. Generally speaking, the lighter the wine, the colder it should be served.
You never want to get to the point of becoming frosty, though. Lighter-bodied red wines are often liked for their crisp, sparkling quality, which is why they’re particularly pleasant when served cold. Aim for a temperature of 55 to 60 degrees F for wines like this.
Red wines with more body and tannin, such as Bordeaux or Jackson TriggsSauvignons taste better when served somewhat warm. You want them to be below room temperature so you can appreciate the structure and relish the tannins. Temperatures of 65 to 68 degrees F are ideal for full-bodied reds.
Red Wine Chilling Rules
It’s a little more complex than it appears to chill wine. It’s tough to tell exactly what temperature your wine is at and how long you should keep it in the refrigerator unless you have an instant-read thermometer.
If you’re concerned about keeping your wine at the right temperature, you might want to invest in a dedicated wine refrigerator. A wine fridge allows you to precisely manage the temperature of your wine and vary the temperature depending on the sort of wine you’re keeping. Wine refrigerators don’t have to be prohibitively expensive: there are a variety of countertop options that won’t break the bank.
If you’re a casual wine drinker who doesn’t want to spend the money on a wine fridge, there are plenty of methods to chill your wines correctly using the equipment you already have. Your wine will keep fine in an ordinary refrigerator.
All you have to do now is keep track of how long you keep it in there. The usual refrigerator is set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which is far too cold for wine to be stored for lengthy periods of time. Lighter-bodied red wines should be chilled for 90 minutes before drinking, while fuller-bodied reds should be chilled for 45 minutes.
Once your wine is out of the fridge, there are a number of ways to keep it refrigerated while you’re drinking it, ensuring that each glass is at the ideal temperature. Having an ice bucket on hand is a good idea since it allows you to rapidly cool down your wine if it becomes too hot.
You may even make ice cubes out of your wine if you really want to stay cool. Your wine will be cooled without being watered down as the ice melts. All you have to do to make wine ice cubes is pour leftover wine into an ice cube tray, wrap it in saran wrap, and place it in the freeze
