Serving Temperatures

http://chemistry.about.com/

In a previous post, I mentioned the importance of using a digital thermometer to test the temperature of your wine. Serving temperature is very important. If you serve a wine too hot or too cold, it will alter the bouquet and flavors. With this post, I thought I'd take the opportunity to list appropriate temperature ranges for wines. Unless you have a temperature controlled cellar, many of you might be surprised to find that the red wine you are drinking is too hot, and the white wine you are drinking is too cold.

White Wines
Light Body: 48-53°F (i.e Pinot Grigio and Gerwertaminer)
Medium Body: 53-58°F (i.e. Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc)
Medium Full Body: 55-60°F (i.e. Viognier and Oaked Chardonnay)
Sparkling: 45°F

Red Wines
Light Body: 50-55°F (i.e Pinot Noir and Chianti)
Medium Body: 55-60°F (i.e. Merlot and Sangiovese)
Full Body: 60-65°F (i.e. Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel)