You just got yourself a nice bottle of wine. Because you have some friends coming over. It might be for dinner, a movie, or maybe just to hang out. But what is the perfect temperature should you serve the wine. Or should you chill? Here are some tips on how to chill wine or if you really need to.
Of course, our tastes are all different and all these are recommended temperatures. I always say chill it according to your liking. But this is a good guide to point you in the right direction. From there you can adjust it to suit you.
How To Chill Wine
The above chart, of course, does not list all the variety of wines but is a good general guide. You will find the perfect temperature to suit your likes. It shows 2 different methods of chilling. Putting it in the refrigerator. Or
Sparkling Wine
If you are going with the refrigerator you should leave it in there for 2.5 to 2.75 hours. Which will chill it down to the mid-’40s
For the freezer or ice water. Put it in the freezer for 20 mins. Or in the ice water for 10 mins. Again chilling it down to the mid-’40s
Whites
For your lighter whites such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Rose. You should follow the guidelines for the sparkling wines. To chill it down to the mid-50s
The heavier whites such as your Chardonnay. It will take 2.5 hrs (high acid) wines or 2 hrs (rich) wines in the fridge.
In the freezer, it will take about 25 mins (high acid) wines or 20 mins (rich) wines. For the bucket of ice water 10 mins (high acid) wines or 6 mins (rich) wines.
Reds
For your lighter Red wines such as Pinot noir or Merlot. It will take 1.5 to 2 hrs in the Fridge. 10 to 15 mins in the freezer. And 5 mins in a bucket of ice water.
The heavier Reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel. Allow 40 mins in the fridge. And 5 mins in the freezer or only 2 mins in a bucket of ice water.
Sweet wines
To chill your sweet wines it will take 2.75 hrs (for a dessert wine) or 45 mins (for a fortified wine) in the fridge. 30 mins (for a dessert wine) or 7 mins (for a fortified wine) in the freezer. And 11 mins ( for a dessert wine) or 4 mins (for a fortified wine) in a bucket of ice.
Again these are just some recommended times. As all our tastes are different but this should give you a starting point. From here you can adjust the times to suit you. No go and enjoy your properly chilled wines.
And now you know how to chill your wine. But what wine goes best with what food. Here is a chart to help you out with that.
If you are a newbie to wines and not really sure what you should get. For either your meal, friends stopping over, or maybe for a gift. I would recommend joining a wine of the month club. This can really expand your wine knowledge. I am a member of an amazing wine of the month club. You get Great wines from around the Nappa and Sonoma Valley and shipped right to your door.
Best of all they have a 3 and it’s FREE. This means if you refer 3 new customers to the club your wine is FREE every month.
Response Magic