The temperature of wine is a controversial topic. White wine should be drunk colder than red wine, but what is the best temperature to enjoy it at? We will try to elucidate this and other questions below.
Usually the wines are stored in basements or cold spots in the house, places that could reach 11 degrees Celsius, considering that normal room temperature ranges from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. These environmental details are even more complicated, since everything depends on where you are and what season it is. The range of different climates opens in a myriad of options that make it impossible to get an exact temperature. However, it is always advisable to use wine thermometers to check the temperature exactly.
The temperature in red wines
Red wines should be drunk in what is commonly known as room temperature, i.e. Between 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. This temperature will help keep the flavor, aroma and body of wine.
However:
If the wine in question is young, the ideal temperature will be lower, between 12 to 15 degrees Celsius, so we can savor its freshness, and eventually a floral or fruity flavor.
If it’s an aged wine, the temperature should be between 16 to 18 degrees Celsius, so we can appreciate its bouquet as best.
If the wine is of great vintages, it can be drunk up to 20 degrees Celsius. This will depend greatly on the type of origin of wine.
The temperature in white wines
White wines definitely are best enjoyed cold, more than red wines. But as in the case of red wines, there are some specific varieties of white wines. If the white wine we are about to drink is a young white wine, enjoy it ideally below 10 degrees Celsius, up to 7 or 8 degrees is ideal, so we can highlight its aromas, without actually stripping its acidity or alcohol flavor.
If the white wine is semi-dry, we could drink it up to 6 degrees Celsius, so we can highlight its soft, sweet and fruity taste. The fine white wines are enjoyed well at 10 degrees Celsius, for example the Manzanilla wines.
Rosé wines deserve a special mention. These should be drunk preferably below 8 degrees Celsius, never below 6 degrees. In regard to the Cava wines is recommended to drink them between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius.
By: Marta Burgués, Uvinum
http://blog.uvinum.co.uk/the-ideal-temperature-to-drink-wine-1612748