There’s no definitive answer regarding the best temperature to serve wine. Simply put, it varies: reds, whites, rosés and bubblies all have different requirements.

Today, we’ll take a closer look at the best temperatures for enjoying an array of wines –and explore some hacks to quickly acclimate wines that are too warm or cold.

The Optimal Wine Temperature for Various Wines

New wine enthusiasts might think: ‘That sure is a lot of trouble to go to before enjoying a bottle of wine!’ If you fall into this category, rest assured – bringing wine to the correct temperature is well worth it.

Consider this: wine’s aroma, flavour and mouthfeel all change according to the temperature it is served at. Due to the alcohol’s spike in intensity, warm wine can become hollow and bland. On the other hand, wines that are served too cold often lose their deep flavours and aromas. In overly chilled red wines, the tannins become particularly harsh and astringent.

Although many people follow the basic guidelines of serving red wines at room temperature and white wines chilled, true wine aficionados are far more discerning. After all, “chilled” doesn’t hold the same meaning for everyone, while “room temperature” is often impacted by factors like air-conditioning or central heating.

Red Wine Temperature

For the best wine-drinking experience, serve light-bodied reds slightly chilled at a cool 13 ˚C. Medium to full-bodied red wines’ optimal serving temperature range is between 15-18 ˚C, so this is a good guideline to follow.

If too cold, take care not to warm up red wine too quickly, as exposing it to sudden heat may instantly (and permanently) ruin your wine. Instead, pour yourself a glass and gently warm its contents by cradling the bowl in your hands.

White Wine Temperature

When dining out, you’ll notice that many restaurants have a policy of bringing ice buckets to tables that order white, sparkling and rosé wines. Interestingly, these all benefit from being chilled – but not to the same degree.

Serve light to medium-bodied white wines well chilled at around 7-10 ˚C. When it comes to medium to full-bodied wooded whites, only serve them slightly chilled at 10-13 ˚C.

Rosé Temperature

As with light-bodied white wine, you want to enjoy your rosé slightly chilled to chilled. Serve it at no lower than 7 ˚C and no higher than 12 ˚C. This temperature range will accentuate the trademark characteristics of this crisp, bright style of wine.

Bubbly Temperature

A well-chilled glass of bubbly is a thing of beauty. Sparkling wines benefit from being served at between 6-8 ˚C. When cool and crisp, sparkling wine’s bubbles boast a delicate rather than fizzy mouthfeel.

Did you know? Sweet dessert wines are best served at 8-10 ˚C.

Quick Wine Temperature Fixes

Those familiar with how to store wine at home will know that the best option for a temperature-regulated bottle is either a wine fridge or a home cellar. These wine storage solutions will keep your collection safe from temperature fluctuations, ensuring that the content is perfectly preserved every time you open a bottle. Furthermore, when stored properly, getting your wine to its ideal serving temperature should be much quicker.

A bottle of Alvi’s Drift served at the perfect wine temperature.

However, if you lack a wine fridge or home cellar and need your wine at its optimal serving temperature, consider the following:

• When dealing with a too-cold wine, place the entire bottle in warm water for just a moment. Remember to avoid excessively high heat, lest it permanently spoils your wine.
• For slightly too-chilled wines, serve as usual and proceed to cup the glass’ bowl, allowing the heat from your hands to warm up the contents.
• Bring down the temperature of a too-warm wine by placing it in your freezer for no longer than 15 minutes. And set your alarm, as forgetting about it will lead to frozen wine and a pushed-out cork.
• The best way to chill wine quickly is by immersing your bottle in a bucket filled with ice cubes and halfway with cold water. Then add a few handfuls of salt and proceed to gently swirl the bottle around the mixture every few minutes until the wine reaches its prime temperature.

Brush up on your wine etiquette with renowned local wine fundi Junel van der Merwe, who expertly demonstrates how to pour wine in the first episode of our Taste What’s Possible video series. Also, be sure to join our Alvi’s Drift Wine Club for bonus content, invitations to exclusive events, members-only offers and more.

Order Your Favourite Alvi’s Drift Wines Online

Browse our online shop to explore an array of award-winning wines. After all, you now have the know-how to serve the perfect glass. It’s a grand opportunity to impress your family and friends with your taste in wine, served at just the right temperature.