To Chill or Not Chill Wine

As the temperatures heat up, many people hit the pool or enjoy activities outdoors. In Arizona, we are outside all year round but most of the world is just dusting off the backyard barbeque grill and heading outside.

To chill or not chill is the most often asked wine question I get particularly during the summer when people are looking to enjoy a refreshing wine sitting by the swimming pool. Most know that white wine is typically chilled and red wine is not. The temperature can affect the wine’s aromas, flavors and ultimately your enjoyment. So what is the perfect serving temperature for wines?

When a wine is too warm, the alcohol may be overpowering leaving it flat and what people describe as flabby. Too cold and the flavors and aromas will be masked and the wine might be too astringent and the tannins too harsh. Granted what is right for you may be a matter of personal taste but here are some tips for your consideration.

Ensuring the right temperature preserves the freshness and brings out the fruitiness of dry white wine, rose or sparkling wine. Serve these wines at approximately 45 degrees F. For full-bodied red wines like our Lawrence Dunham Vineyards’ Petite Sirah, serve the wine at about 65 degrees F. This temperature is typically cooler than most room temperatures but warmer than our wine cellar.

To achieve the ideal temperature, follow our simple 15-minute rules.

First, consider where your wine has been stored. If you are preparing to drink a red wine that has been stored at room temperature (72-75 degrees F) place the wine in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving. If the wine has been stored in a wine cellar or wine refrigerator (58-60 degrees F) let the bottle stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. If your white wine has been fully chilled in the refrigerator (34-36 degrees F) take the bottle out and let it stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. That’s it, you can’t miss!

Lastly, remember that wine in the glass will quickly move toward the temperature of its environment so it’s best to start out serving wine at the right temperature. Pour yourself that perfect glass of wine at the perfect temperature and enjoy all that summer brings.