Wine Serving & Storage Temperatures

The temperature your wine is both stored and served at is integral to the optimal enjoyment and preservation of a bottle. Especially if you plan to store your bottles for a time span of at least 6 months, it is important to provide consistent conditions, like that from a wine refrigerator, so that the wine’s integrity is not compromised.

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Long-Term Wine Storage

Wines stored at temperatures higher than 65°F can experience an accelerated aging process that will significantly shorten its lifespan. Alternatively, wine stored at colder than suggested temperatures (colder than 45°F) will not fully develop, robbing the wine of its full bouquet.

If you plan on storing your wine bottles for longer than 6 months, then 55°F is the best temperature to store them at.

Short-Term Wine Storage

On the other hand, if you plan on drinking your wines shortly after purchase or within 6 months’ time, then storing them at their suggested serving temperature would be best. That way, your wine is ready to serve right out of your wine cooler. In this instance, your wine refrigerator serves as a wine chiller, making impulse wine enjoyment effortless.

Serving Temperatures

Appropriate serving temperatures are not only different between red and white wines but also between various grape varietals. Contrary to popular belief, red wine serving temperature is colder than room temperature and white wine serving temperature is warmer than the temperature of your standard residential or beverage refrigerator.

Here is a quick overview of suggested serving temperatures that will allow you to get the full experience from your wine and taste your wines as the winemakers intended.

Quick Wine Temperature Guide:

40-50°F — Light, dry white wines & sparkling
50-60°F — Full-bodied white wines & light, fruity red wines
60-65°F — Full-bodied red wines & ports

Let’s Get Specific:

45°F — Champagne, Cava, Asti, Prosecco, Sparkling
47°F — Muscat, Rosé, Riesling
50°F — Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
53°F — Chardonnay, Viognier, White Burgundy, Chablis
55°F — Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Barbera, Grenache
58°F — Zinfandel, Chianti, Red Burgundy
62°F — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec
65°F — Shiraz, Syrah, Bordeaux

Storing, cooling and serving your wine at the perfect temperature has never been easier using a wine refrigerator. Available in a variety of sizes and styles, you are sure to find the perfect one to meet your wine storage needs.

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Comments

Marvin W. Huddleston says

March 21, 2015 at 10:56 am

If you have only one wine cooler (mines a 33 bottle Kenmore) with both red and whites, what would you suggest as a compromise storage temp?

- don says
  
  May 23, 2016 at 6:29 am
  
  55 for all types of wine…
  
- Jerry CERN says
  
  March 2, 2020 at 10:24 pm
  
  Keep about 46 to 49 for both red and white. When serving red make sure it will have a time to reach 55 – say 30 to 45 minutes out of wine cooler if one zone cooling system.
  
Adam Michalowicz says

December 16, 2016 at 8:25 am

Great Infographic! The old saying of keep your reds wines at room temperature is not always true, especially when they should be served at 55-59, not 71.

Elizabeth torres says

August 8, 2017 at 11:14 am

I have a 15 btl dual space wine fridge but the temp on top is 80 and the bottom is 54…vents clear fans running,I don’t know what’s the problem is, had it 1 1/2 yrs.

Shelley Smith says

November 24, 2018 at 11:49 am

If your wine is in a wine box would it be better to store it upside down so the cork doesn’t dry out?

Karen McMillan says

April 13, 2020 at 6:41 pm

I have a 12 bottle wine refrigerator that is set on 66 degrees. Will it be ok for red and white wine?