Conservation

At what temperature should red wine be stored and enjoyed?


A stable, even temperature of 12°C is recommended for storing and aging wine. The serving temperature for red wines is between 11 and 18 degrees. It depends on the grape variety and type of red wine.

What's the difference between service temperature and ageing temperature?

Aging temperature refers to the wine's long-term storage temperature. Serving temperature is the temperature at which the wine is tasted. They are different, and should not be confused. That's why there are cellars for service and others for aging.

What is the ideal storage temperature for red wines?

It is necessary to respect several rules for storing bottles of red wine, including maintaining a certain temperature. To ensure that the aging process runs its course, make sure your cellar has a constant and uniform storage temperature of 12 degrees.

For precise control of the aging temperature of your Bordeaux and red wines, refrigerated cellars and cabinets are ideal.

What is the ideal tasting temperature for red wine?

It is customary to say that red wines should be served at room temperature., but let's take a closer look at the details for a flawless tasting experience.

To appreciate all the aromas of a red wine, it's important to enjoy it at the ideal serving temperature. This varies according to the grape variety of the wine, and in particular its tannins. Thus, tannic wines are best appreciated at a higher temperature than young, fruity red wines or bottles with a certain acidity.

Bottle profile Serving temperatures for red wine
fruity red wine between 11 °C and 12 °C
light, sweet, young red wine between 12 °C and 14 °C
tannic, structured and powerful red wine between 16 °C and 18 °C
grands crus between 18 °C and 20 °C

Bottle profile fruity red wine
Serving temperatures for red wine between 11 °C and 12 °C

Bottle profile light, sweet, young red wine
Serving temperatures for red wine between 12 °C and 14 °C

Bottle profile tannic, structured and powerful red wine
Serving temperatures for red wine between 16 °C and 18 °C

Bottle profile grands crus
Serving temperatures for red wine between 18 °C and 20 °C

Tips for serving red wines at the right temperature

To prevent the wine from lacking panache and having timid aromas, take the bottle out of the cellar a few hours before tasting. While waiting for its moment of glory, keep it away from light in a room that's neither too hot nor too cold. Alternatively, you can use a service wine cellar. This accessory is ideal for table wines. Reserve your ageing wines for ageing wine cellars. For short periods, fruity red wines can be placed in the fridge before tasting, as they are best enjoyed chilled.

Let the wine breathe by using a carafe, uncorking the bottle or using a connected wine aerator.

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Aveine's advice

These aging and serving temperatures are not the same for champagne, white and rosé wines.