Serving Wine? Temperature Does Matter

If wine is not served at the right temperature itshould be served immediately after opening. Red
could severely hinder the taste and experience ofwine should be chilled for about 15-16 minutes and
the drink. When wine however is served at thethey to should be served immediately upon
right temperature the wine gains a balance and aopening.
taste that is unmatched. Perfect is the way thatAnother easy and helpful way to chill wine to the
wine should be and most often times our wine isright temperature is to have a wine cellar. You
not perfect. In fact to often its far from it andcan get a wine cellar for a few hundred dollars
many people really never know the difference.that can hold about 24 bottle of wine or spend a
Red wine are best served just slightly belowlot more and get one that can hold an entire
room temperature or around 67-68 degrees.collection. This option is not for everyone but
When red wine is served too warm it develops asomething to consider. On a wine cellar you set
strong alcohol taste and the real taste of thethe temperature of the wine to the exact
wine has all but vanquished. White wine aretemperature you wish to store it at and when
served best just slightly below 50 degreesyou are ready to drink simply uncork, decant and
Fahrenheit and when cooled properly it has aenjoy.
fresh clean fruit flavor that seems to be full ofA very important tool to have especially when
life. If white wine is chilled incorrectly it will tasteyou are entertaining guests is a long probe wine
weak and lifeless and as though the flavor hasthermometer. When you un-cork the bottle of
faded and dulled.wine you can insert the thermometer to see how
The easiest and fastest way to serve wine atclose to being ready to serve it is. Once its ready
the right temperature isn't putting it in the freezeryou can either serve the wine in a decanter or
for 10 minutes as some would have you believe.pour for your guests. Once you have plenty of
Please do not kill your wine by freezing it unlesspractice you will no longer need a thermometer
you really want to see all the flavor wave on itsas you'll be able to tell when your wine is cool
way out the door. What you should do is fill an iceenough by the feel of the bottle. I like to
bucket equal parts full of water and ice. Thencompare this to learning how to grill a steak.
simply submerge the bottle of wine into theWhen you grill a steak for the first time its never
bucket just to the base of the neck. If you doright and the way you want it. After you've grilled
not have an ice bucket I really suggest gettingsteak for a few years you'll be able to serve it to
one they are very inexpensive and well worth it.that perfect shade of pink you like time after
If you are having dinner with guests this weekendtime. Cooling wine is the same way(minus the fire
and don't have one then just grab a large bowland charcoal) tools will help but eventually you
and use the steps above to chill the wine to thewon't need them anymore and will serve the
right temperature. White wines need to be chilledperfect bottle of wine every time.
in the ice bucket between 20-25 minutes and