Serving and storage

Wine is more enjoyable when served at a temperature that best brings out its flavors, aromas, and structure (that's wine-speak for how it feels on your tongue).

People tend to serve red wines at room temperature, which is generally too warm (especially in summer). And they often serve white wines right out of the refrigerator, a temperature too cold to enjoy any white at its best—with the exception of some sparkling wines.

Optimal wine temperatures vary by type and characteristics. For example, a wine's weight (or "body") matters when it comes to serving temperature. You should serve lighter red and white wines, such as pinot noir and sauvignon blanc, at lower temperatures than you would heavier red and white varietals such as cabernet sauvignon, merlot, or chardonnay.

See our chart below for recommended serving temperatures for lighter and heavier red and white wines—and the time required in the refrigerator, freezer, or ice bucket to reach them. Temperatures and times are based on a typical refrigerator temperature of 37 degrees F in the main compartment and zero degrees F in the freezer, with original storage at room temperature (about 65 to 70 degrees F). If the wine was cooler—stored in a temperature-controlled wine cellar, perhaps—you can trim times by about 20 percent for every five degrees. The chart also includes adjustments for warmer room temperatures or seasons.

These temperatures and times are general guides only. They might seem unusual at first, but you'll probably notice a wider range of flavors and other components in your wine, especially bottles of better quality, if you follow them.

Or do your own side-by-side taste-test: Open a good bottle and decant half the wine to a clean, empty bottle. Store one half-bottle as you customarily do, and store the other as we recommend. Then do a taste comparison, looking for additional subtleties in the wine served as we recommend.

As for storage, a trend is now to store wine in a temperature-controlled cellar or custom refrigerator. But unless you're collecting very expensive wines, any spot in the house that is out of direct sunlight, remains cool (less than 70 degrees F) at all times, and isn't subject to vibration will hold wine safely for a year or two. Most basements fit the bill. Store bottles on their side. Screw-cap bottles can be stored upright.

See also:

Beer

Chocolates

Wine chillers

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Kitchen-Planning Guide