Serving Temperatures of Wine

Probably the most asked question we receive in our retail store is about serving temperatures for wines. We reprint the following from our Spring 2008 Newsletter:

"Much more important than people realize is the temperatures at which wine is served. Cold temperatures tend to mute sweetness and flavour. In red wines, cold temperatures will emphasize tannin. Warm temperatures will emphasize sweetness and alcohol. We tend to serve our reds too warm and our white wines too cool.

A quick rule of thumb is to put red wine into the fridge for 15-20 minutes before serving and to take white wine out of the firdge 15-20 minutes before serving. Icewine and sweeter wines can be served directly from the fridge or from an icebucket."

Serving Temperatures:
White Wines at 10C/50F

Red Wines at 18-19C/65-68F

Light Reds such as Summer Sun 15C/ 55-60F

Icewine at Freezing 0C /32F