Does Wine Serving Temperature Really Matter? 

You’re handed a g&t after a long week at work, would you rather it be room temperature or frosty and fresh, covered in condensation? The answer is obvious—and the same goes for wine. The right serving temperature can elevate flavours, balance aromas, and even smooth out rough edges. Here’s a quick guide on how to serve wines at their most flattering temps.

Wine Serving Temperatures by Style

When it comes to wine temperature, there’s a sweet spot for every style. While a universal rule would be handy, here’s the next best thing.

• Sparkling & Light-Bodied Whites: Keep it cold, between 3–7°C. Think classic Champagne, Prosecco, and crisp Pinot Grigio.
• Rose & Full-Bodied Whites: Let these chill, but not quite at frostbite levels, around 7–12°C. A well-chilled Chardonnay or lively rose opens up beautifully here.
• Light & Medium-Bodied Reds: These reds shine best cool, around 12–15°C. Cooling a red just a touch can bring out its bright, fruity side.
• Bold Reds: Serve these at room temperature, around 15–20°C. Too warm, and alcohol takes over; too cold, and the flavours seem flat.
• Dessert Wines: There’s no hard-and-fast rule; it depends on the wine’s style, but cool or slightly chilled often does the trick.

Tips for Serving Wine at Its Best

• If the aroma burns your nose with alcohol, it’s probably too warm. Give it a few minutes in the fridge to mellow out.
• No flavour? It’s likely too cold. Reds especially can lose their complexity if they’re fridge-cold—bring it up to temperature gradually.
• Pro tip: Lower-quality wines actually benefit from a cooler temperature. A chill can tone down any harsh aromas and make them more approachable.

And a word on bubbly: sparkling wines are lovely straight from the fridge. However, let higher-quality bottles (hello, Champagne) warm up just a tad to reveal those deeper, more complex flavours.

So, when planning on storing and serving wine at your wedding, remember to think of temperature as an important ingredient to make your drink shine.