We are fully aware that this topic is somewhat subjective, as each wine enthusiast/wine collector has a different opinion on this, which may be based on their own research, level of experience, or even what they’ve heard from other wine lovers.
Nonetheless, we did our best to find the officially cited temperature, and we’ve linked to the source so you can verify that we did our research.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
What Is The Best Temperature To Store Red Wine At?
Red wine should be kept in a wine fridge at the official temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, the temperature at which red wine should be served depends on the type:
Due to their lower tannin content, light red wines such as Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, or Chianti are best served at 60-65 degrees.
Medium red wines, such as Sangiovese and Mencia, should be served at 60-65°F.
Heavy red wines, such as Malbec, Bordeaux, and Sagrantino, are best served at 63-68 degrees.
We’ve included a red wine boldness chart’ from Wine Folly to show all of the light-bodied, medium-bodied, and full-bodied red wines for those who aren’t sure how light or heavy a wine is.
Why Should You Chill R?
Although this is a more subjective answer, drinking chilled red wine is always more refreshing than drinking it at room temperature.
Not only that, but chilling the wine in a wine cooler actually brings out the wine’s natural acidity and enhances its fresh, fruity aromas.
However, if you’re chilling a full-bodied wine with a high tannin count, such as a Barolo or Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, we recommend slightly raising the storage temperature, as it can promote a very acidic taste, especially when chilled for an extended period of time.
It’s also a good idea to set it aside for about 15 minutes before serving… The reason for this is that it will bring out the flavors of the wine while also helping to eliminate the acidity of the harsh tannins.
For those who are interested, we have a guide on what temperature white wine should be stored at, which you can read here.
I’ve been a wine enthusiast for over 20 years, and have sold wine refrigerators for the last 15 years. So I would consider myself to be a wine fridge expert. Hence why I created this blog, read between wines, where I post about wine fridges, wines and wine equipment.