To purchase wine with confidence and ensure perfect service, use the terms and temperature ranges below:
The serving temperature of wine: the secret to a perfect tasting!
Temperature is the most overlooked factor, but it is crucial for revealing the full potential of wines. Serving wine too warm or too cold can mask the aromas, unbalance the flavor, and ruin your experience.
Forget the myth of “room temperature” and use our chart and tips to serve wine correctly – an essential step for any wine lover!
Wine Serving Temperature Chart (from coldest to warmest)
Service | Interval ºC | Type of wine (examples) | Effect on wine |
|---|---|---|---|
Very Cold | 6ºC - 8ºC | Young sparkling wines and champagnes; very light white wines (Vinhos Verdes, Sauvignon Blanc). | It enhances freshness, effervescence, and acidity. |
Chilled | 8ºC - 10ºC | Dry white wines, fresh and young rosés. | Balances fruity flavor and acidity, ideal for summer. |
Slightly Cool | 10ºC - 12ºC | Full-bodied/complex white wines (aged in wood); rosés with greater structure; dessert wines (fortified/late harvest). | Allows more complex aromas and textures to reveal themselves. |
Normal | 12ºC - 14ºC | Light, fruity red wines (light Pinot Noir, Beaujolais). | Softens the tannins and enhances the fruity flavor and lightness. |
Ambient* | 14ºC - 16ºC | Medium-bodied red wines (young reds and wines not aged in barrels). | The ideal temperature for most everyday red wines. |
Ideal Temperature | 16ºC - 18ºC | Full-bodied and complex red wines, reserves and vintages (Douro, Dão, Alentejo, Bordeaux, Vintage Port). | Softens tannins, enhances tertiary aromas and structure. |
● Myths about Wine
The great myth: “Serve wine at room temperature”
* ATTENTION: The term “room temperature” is a concept from the past, although still used! But it should be understood that it refers to the temperature of an old wine cellar (between 14ºC and 18ºC). Nowadays, the temperature of a room is often above 20ºC, which causes red wine to become:
- Too warm: the alcohol evaporates and stands out, and the wine loses its freshness and elegance.
- Unbalanced: The wine loses its elegance and becomes monotonous or heavy, as the acidity is neutralized.
Golden tip: if the red wine is in a warm room, place it in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
● A Few Tips
Quick tips for achieving the perfect temperature
- Smart adjustment: when removing a bottle from the wine cellar or refrigerator, always serve it slightly cooler than the recommended temperature. The wine will quickly warm up in the glass.
- The power of ice and water: to cool a wine quickly (for example, a white wine you have just bought), use an ice bucket (with water). The water accelerates the cooling process by coming into contact with the entire surface of the bottle.
- Use a thermometer (optional): for complete accuracy, use a wine thermometer. It’s a small investment that guarantees every glass is perfect.
● More Info
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