What temperature should red wine be served at?
The temperature at which red wine is served depends on the style of the wine, though in most cases it falls between 14 °C and 18 °C. Young, light reds are usually more enjoyable a little cooler, while fuller-bodied, oak-aged reds express their aromas best at slightly higher temperatures. Serving a wine too warm can heighten the alcohol and mask its nuances, while too much chill dulls the perception of aromas and flavours.
Recommended temperature by type of red wine
Young red wines
Young, fruity wines are at their best between 12 °C and 15 °C. At this temperature the fresh-fruit aromas come to the fore, the acidity feels more balanced and the wine offers a pleasant sense of freshness without losing expressiveness.
Full-bodied red wines
Young wines with more structure or concentration are usually served between 14 °C and 16 °C. This range makes it easier to appreciate their weight on the palate without the alcohol taking over.
Oak-aged red wines
Oak-aged wines reveal their full potential between 16 °C and 18 °C. Within this range the aromas from the barrel, the spicy notes and the complexity gained during ageing come through more clearly.
Reserva and gran reserva wines
Reserva and gran reserva wines reach their finest expression between 17 °C and 18 °C. These temperatures encourage a balance between the tertiary aromas, the ripe fruit, the tannins and the alcohol, letting you enjoy all the complexity developed over years of ageing.
How to reach the perfect temperature before serving the wine
We don't always have a wine fridge or a dedicated thermometer to hand, but reaching a good temperature is much simpler than it seems. If the bottle is at room temperature and the room is above 20 °C, a few minutes in the fridge before serving will be enough.
As a rough guide:
- If the wine is around 22 °C, 20 to 30 minutes in the fridge will normally be enough.
- If you need to chill it quickly, use an ice bucket with water, ice and a handful of salt, which speeds up the cooling process.
- If the wine is too cold, simply let it rest for a few minutes out of the fridge before serving.
The important thing is to avoid sudden changes in temperature and not to put the bottle in the freezer, as this could alter its qualities.
In our guided Relax & Wine tastings we serve each Málaga wine at its ideal temperature, so you can appreciate all its aromas before the massage.