The Ideal Wine Temperature & How to Achieve It
Before you next say you don’t like a wine, take a moment to think about whether you’re drinking it at the ideal temperature. If the wine is too hot, you will no doubt be slapped in the face with a big kick of alcohol, too cold and the flavours are muted, the acidity heightened and the tannins are harsh. Do any of those wine descriptors sound familiar to what you may have said about a wine before? If so, then continue reading..
I was recently introduced to Taylor’s Wines new Optimum Drinking Temperature Range. The idea is to supply us, the consumers with a way to easily work out if our wine is at the right temperature for maximum drinking pleasure. Yes you can buy wine bottle temperature gauges from various stores however ingenuously Taylor’s have come up with an even better solution – the temperature gauge is right there on the bottle!
What is the Ideal Wine Temperature?
You have probably heard it many times, that for red wine, ‘room temperature’ is how you should serve it. Alas my friends, yesterday my room in Perth was 30 degrees – I am pretty sure the winemaker didn’t intend for me to drink lukewarm wine. Uhhh… the thought takes me back to my university days when anything goes, as long as it’s alcohol – who cares if it’s a warm Chardonnay, just wash it down with a cracker they say.
Wine experts around the world have come up with an optimum temperature range for different grape varieties and wine styles. Typically the darker and heavier wines are best at around the 16 – 18 degree mark and then your champagnes, sparkling wines and Sauv Blancs are better at 6 – 8 degrees. Taylor’s Wines have put a funky little chart together for you with the most popular varieties on:
The above temperatures are in Celsius however for the fahrenheit conversions check out this post from VinePair on wine temperatures.
Living in Perth, especially in summer, I keep all my intended wines to drink in the fridge – even the reds. Within a few minutes of being out of the fridge they are at the perfect temperature to seduce my palate in absolutely wicked ways 😉
How do the Taylor’s Temperature Sensors Work?
Like humans, and animals, it’s good to check a wine bottles temperature every now and then. If it sits in the ‘healthy range’ (see above) then it means it’s at it’s up most optimum – it’s how the winemaker who poured countless hours into making it, intended for it to smell and taste in your glass.
Taylor’s temperature sensors are part of the back label and are touch activated. They have a full-scale from too hot to too cold and the ideal temperature range is highlighted. It’s so super easy that I think all wine bottles should have one on!
Taylor’s are even offering to send you a FREE set of temperature sensor stickers to use on any bottle, plus a $50 welcome gift if you sign up today.
The Temperature Challenge
To fully understand the impact temperature has one your enjoyment of a wine, Taylor’s wine are asking you to take the challenge. This involves trying the wine pre-optimum drinking temperature and then trying it at the ideal temperature. I urge you to do it, jot down some notes and see how the aromas and flavours compare between the two. I am sure you will be impressed!
I tried two of the Taylor’s range recently – I didn’t include my pre-notes in the below, however it’s safe to say the wines were both considerably better once they reached that perfect drinking temperature.
