Temperature to Serve White Wine
What is the optimal temperature to serve white wine? For beginners, this is a commonly asked question. Temperature is crucial when looking for a true sense of a white wine's body and flavor. In order to experience the best possible taste, the correct temperature is a must.
To review, white wines are typically served chilled and reds are served up warm. This is a good rule of thumb. Eventually though, wine "newbies" will want to move beyond the introductory stages of wine appreciation. It's important to remember that some rules are only generalizations.
The optimal temperature to serve white wine is somewhere between 40 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. However, several variations such as tannins, percent of alcohol and fruit content can affect the temperature at which white wine should be served.
In some instances, some white wines are best served at the higher end of this range (e.g., rich whites like chardonnay). Others are served at the lower temperature range (e.g., tart whites). Sparkling whites should be served more in the middle of the temperature range.
Most refrigerators are too cold to serve wine. The average refrigerator temperature is 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Serving white wine straight from a home refrigerator will taste dull or bland. At the very least, it may be difficult to distinguish fruit or oak flavors.
It's a good idea to check your refrigerator's interior temperature. Purchase a thermometer designed for the inside of a refrigerator. Alternatively, you can pour a glass of liquid that has been thoroughly chilled in your refrigerator. Then, test the liquid with a liquid thermometer.
There are other factors than can also affect the temperature of your wine inside the refrigerator. Some sections of your home refrigerator are cooler than others (like the top shelf versus the door). You may want to test different areas of your refrigerator to find the spot with the most optimal temperature for storing white wine.
If serving directly from a home refrigerator, its' best to let a bottle sit in room temperature for a few minutes (or more) before serving. This will allow the temperature to rise to the appropriate range and the flavors to be brought out before serving.
Correct temperature will ensure the consumer is able to gain a genuine appreciation for a particular white wine.v
To review, white wines are typically served chilled and reds are served up warm. This is a good rule of thumb. Eventually though, wine "newbies" will want to move beyond the introductory stages of wine appreciation. It's important to remember that some rules are only generalizations.
The optimal temperature to serve white wine is somewhere between 40 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. However, several variations such as tannins, percent of alcohol and fruit content can affect the temperature at which white wine should be served.
In some instances, some white wines are best served at the higher end of this range (e.g., rich whites like chardonnay). Others are served at the lower temperature range (e.g., tart whites). Sparkling whites should be served more in the middle of the temperature range.
Most refrigerators are too cold to serve wine. The average refrigerator temperature is 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Serving white wine straight from a home refrigerator will taste dull or bland. At the very least, it may be difficult to distinguish fruit or oak flavors.
It's a good idea to check your refrigerator's interior temperature. Purchase a thermometer designed for the inside of a refrigerator. Alternatively, you can pour a glass of liquid that has been thoroughly chilled in your refrigerator. Then, test the liquid with a liquid thermometer.
There are other factors than can also affect the temperature of your wine inside the refrigerator. Some sections of your home refrigerator are cooler than others (like the top shelf versus the door). You may want to test different areas of your refrigerator to find the spot with the most optimal temperature for storing white wine.
If serving directly from a home refrigerator, its' best to let a bottle sit in room temperature for a few minutes (or more) before serving. This will allow the temperature to rise to the appropriate range and the flavors to be brought out before serving.
Correct temperature will ensure the consumer is able to gain a genuine appreciation for a particular white wine.v