Wine Serving Temperatures
Choosing the appropriate serving temperature for your wine can be very confusing. Whilst it may appear that selecting the serving temperature is a science, this is not strictly the case
Most people do not have a suitable wine thermometer and temperatures are generally approximate.
White Wine
Generally speaking, white wine should be served at approximately 9 degrees Celsius, although a particularly fine bottle of white should be served at a slightly warmer fourteen degrees.
As most refrigerators keep wines at a relatively chilly six degrees, the wine needs to be removed approximately fifteen minutes before you wish to serve it, in order to allow the wine to warm up to the required temperature. These timings should of course be adjusted if you live in an extremely warm climate (or have a very powerful fridge)!
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine is slightly easier as it should be served at approximately six degrees Celsius, conveniently the same temperature as the average refrigerator. Many experts argue that sparkling wine should, in fact be served slightly warmer. However, given that there is likely to be at least a few minutes time lag between serving and drinking, this should cause few problems for most!
Red Wine
Most red wines benefit from being drunk at approximately eighteen degrees Celsius. However, a poor red or a Beaujolais (of any quality) will be better for being served at a slightly cooler temperature.
As most homes are slightly warmer than eighteen degrees it is worth placing your red wine in the refrigerator for a few minutes before serving: fifteen minutes should do it!
Others
Sherry and desert wines should be treated in a similar way to white wines when it comes to serving temperatures. Port, Madeira and Marsala should be treated like red wine.
Remember, serving temperature is not an exact science, so do not feel that you have to follow these ‘rules’ slavishly!