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Serving temperature finder

Every style, grouped by temperature band, with ranges derived from each wine’s own taste profile — and a practical way to hit them without a thermometer.

How the range is worked out

WineHQ does not keep a hand-written temperature for every wine. Each range is derived from the wine’s own taste profile, because the underlying effects are consistent and physical: cold suppresses aroma and sharpens the perception of tannin and acidity; warmth releases aroma but exaggerates alcohol and makes a wine feel flabby; carbonation is held better cold. A style with high tannin and high body therefore lands warmer, and an aromatic sparkling wine lands colder, without anyone having to assert it wine by wine.

The single most useful correction

“Room temperature” dates from houses that were about 16°C. A modern heated room is 20–22°C, which is too warm for almost every red wine. If you take one thing from this page: put your red in the fridge for twenty minutes before serving. Most people are serving reds too warm and whites too cold.

Every style, by temperature band

Well chilled

8 styles

Style°C°F
Asti · Italy6–843–46
Canadian Icewine · Canada6–943–48
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore · Italy6–943–48
Eiswein · Germany6–843–46
Fino and Manzanilla sherry · Spain6–943–48
Moscato d’Asti · Italy6–843–46
Prosecco · Italy6–843–46
White Zinfandel · United States6–943–48

Fridge cold

80 styles

Style°C°F
Alpine white · France8–1046–50
Alsace Pinot Gris · France9–1248–54
Alsace Riesling · France8–1146–52
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço) · Portugal9–1148–52
Auslese · Germany7–1045–50
Australian Riesling · Australia8–1046–50
Australian traditional-method sparkling · Australia8–1046–50
Austrian botrytis sweet wine · Austria7–1045–50
Austrian Riesling · Austria9–1248–54
Austrian Sekt · Austria7–1045–50
Beerenauslese · Germany7–945–48
California traditional-method sparkling · United States8–1046–50
Cava · Spain7–1045–50
Chablis · France8–1146–52
Champagne · France8–1046–50
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc · Chile8–1046–50
Corpinnat · Spain8–1146–52
Crémant · France7–945–48
English Bacchus · England8–1046–50
English Blanc de Blancs · England9–1148–52
English Blanc de Noirs · England9–1148–52
English sparkling rosé · England8–1146–52
English sparkling wine · England8–1146–52
English still rosé · England8–1046–50
English still white · England8–1146–52
Etna Bianco · Italy9–1248–54
Finger Lakes Riesling · United States8–1046–50
Franciacorta · Italy8–1146–52
Franken Silvaner · Germany9–1148–52
Garnacha rosado · Spain8–1146–52
Gavi · Italy8–1046–50
German dry Riesling (trocken) · Germany9–1248–54
Gewürztraminer · France8–1146–52
Greco di Tufo · Italy9–1148–52
Grüner Veltliner · Austria8–1146–52
Hunter Valley Semillon · Australia8–1146–52
Kabinett · Germany8–1046–50
Koshu · Japan8–1046–50
Mantinia Moschofilero · Greece7–1045–50
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc · New Zealand7–1045–50
Méthode Cap Classique · South Africa7–1045–50
Mosel Riesling · Germany8–1046–50
Muscadet · France7–1045–50
Nahe Riesling · Germany8–1146–52
Pfalz Riesling · Germany9–1248–54
Picpoul de Pinet · France7–1045–50
Pinot Grigio · Italy7–1045–50
Pouilly-Fumé · France8–1146–52
Provence rosé · France8–1146–52
Retsina · Greece7–1045–50
Rheingau Riesling · Germany9–1248–54
Rheinhessen Riesling · Germany9–1148–52
Rías Baixas Albariño · Spain8–1146–52
Roero Arneis · Italy9–1148–52
Rueda Verdejo · Spain8–1046–50
Sancerre · France8–1146–52
Santorini Assyrtiko · Greece9–1248–54
Sauternes · France7–1045–50
Sekt · Germany7–1045–50
Slavonian Graševina · Croatia8–1146–52
Soave · Italy9–1148–52
South African Sauvignon Blanc · South Africa8–1046–50
Spätlese · Germany8–1146–52
Štajerska Šipon · Slovenia9–1148–52
Tokaji Aszú · Hungary8–1246–54
Torrontés · Argentina8–1046–50
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo · Italy9–1248–54
Trockenbeerenauslese · Germany7–945–48
Txakoli · Spain7–945–48
Valais Petite Arvine · Switzerland9–1248–54
Verdicchio · Italy9–1248–54
Vermentino · Italy8–1146–52
Vernaccia di San Gimignano · Italy9–1148–52
Vin de Constance · South Africa8–1146–52
Vinho Verde · Portugal7–945–48
Vouvray · France8–1146–52
Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner · Austria9–1248–54
Welsh white wine · Wales8–1046–50
White Bordeaux · France9–1248–54
White Port · Portugal8–1246–54

Lightly chilled

31 styles

Style°C°F
Amontillado sherry · Spain12–1454–57
Australian Chardonnay · Australia10–1250–54
Beaujolais · France12–1454–57
Brda Rebula · Slovenia10–1350–55
California Chardonnay · United States10–1350–55
Chilean Chardonnay · Chile10–1250–54
Condrieu · France10–1250–54
Coteaux du Layon · France11–1452–57
Douro white · Portugal10–1250–54
Dry Furmint · Hungary10–1250–54
English still Pinot Noir · England12–1554–59
Fiano di Avellino · Italy10–1250–54
Friuli white · Italy10–1350–55
Godello · Spain10–1250–54
Istrian Malvazija · Croatia10–1350–55
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay · France11–1452–57
Lambrusco · Italy10–1350–55
Montlouis-sur-Loire · France10–1350–55
Moscatel de Setúbal · Portugal10–1450–57
New Zealand Chardonnay · New Zealand10–1250–54
Pedro Ximénez sherry · Spain12–1554–59
Pošip · Croatia10–1250–54
Savennières · France11–1452–57
Soave Classico · Italy10–1250–54
South African Chenin Blanc · South Africa10–1250–54
Sparkling Shiraz · Australia10–1450–57
Szamorodni · Hungary10–1350–55
Vin Santo · Italy10–1450–57
Vinsanto (Santorini) · Greece10–1450–57
Wachau Grüner Veltliner · Austria10–1350–55
White Burgundy · France10–1350–55

Cellar cool

64 styles

Style°C°F
Alentejo red · Portugal15–1759–63
Areni · Armenia14–1657–61
Australian Grenache · Australia14–1657–61
Australian Pinot Noir · Australia14–1657–61
Barbera · Italy14–1657–61
Barbera d’Alba · Italy14–1657–61
Barbera d’Asti · Italy14–1657–61
Bierzo Mencía · Spain14–1657–61
Blaufränkisch · Austria15–1759–63
California Cabernet Sauvignon · United States15–1759–63
California Pinot Noir · United States14–1657–61
Cerasuolo di Vittoria · Italy13–1655–61
Chianti · Italy15–1759–63
Chianti Classico · Italy15–1759–63
Chilean Carmenère · Chile15–1759–63
Chilean Pinot Noir · Chile14–1657–61
Cru Beaujolais · France14–1657–61
Dão · Portugal15–1759–63
Dolcetto · Italy14–1657–61
Egri Bikavér · Hungary15–1759–63
Etna Rosso · Italy15–1759–63
Hawke’s Bay Syrah · New Zealand15–1759–63
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir · South Africa14–1657–61
Langhe Nebbiolo · Italy15–1759–63
Languedoc red · France15–1759–63
Late Bottled Vintage Port · Portugal15–1859–64
Loire Cabernet Franc · France13–1655–61
Madeira · Portugal12–1654–61
Marsala · Italy12–1654–61
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo · Italy15–1759–63
Montsant · Spain15–1759–63
Morgon · France15–1759–63
Muscat Bailey A · Japan13–1555–59
Nemea Agiorgitiko · Greece15–1759–63
Nero d’Avola · Italy15–1759–63
New Zealand Pinot Noir · New Zealand14–1657–61
Oloroso sherry · Spain13–1655–61
Oregon Pinot Noir · United States14–1657–61
País · Chile13–1555–59
Palo Cortado · Spain13–1555–59
Pinotage · South Africa15–1759–63
Port · Portugal14–1857–64
Primitivo · Italy15–1759–63
Prokupac · Serbia14–1657–61
Qvevri amber wine · Georgia12–1654–61
Recioto della Valpolicella · Italy14–1657–61
Red Burgundy · France14–1657–61
Rioja · Spain15–1859–64
Rioja Crianza · Spain15–1759–63
Rosso di Montalcino · Italy15–1759–63
Ruby Port · Portugal14–1657–61
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir · United States14–1657–61
Southern Rhône blend · France15–1759–63
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) · Germany14–1657–61
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends · South Africa15–1759–63
Tawny Port · Portugal12–1654–61
Valais Cornalin · Switzerland15–1759–63
Valpolicella · Italy13–1555–59
Valpolicella Ripasso · Italy15–1759–63
Vin Doux Naturel · France12–1654–61
Vin Jaune · France14–1657–61
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano · Italy15–1759–63
Zinfandel · United States15–1759–63
Zweigelt · Austria13–1655–61

Cool room temperature

48 styles

Style°C°F
Amarone della Valpolicella · Italy16–1861–64
Argentine Cabernet Franc · Argentina16–1861–64
Argentine Malbec · Argentina16–1861–64
Bairrada Baga · Portugal16–1861–64
Barbaresco · Italy16–1861–64
Barolo · Italy16–1861–64
Barossa Shiraz · Australia16–1861–64
Bekaa Valley Red · Lebanon16–1861–64
Bolgheri · Italy16–1861–64
Brunello di Montalcino · Italy16–1861–64
Cahors · France16–1861–64
California Rhône blend · United States16–1861–64
Châteauneuf-du-Pape · France16–1861–64
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione · Italy16–1861–64
Chianti Classico Riserva · Italy16–1861–64
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon · Chile16–1861–64
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon · Australia16–1861–64
Dalmatian Plavac Mali · Croatia16–1861–64
Douro red · Portugal16–1861–64
Fetească Neagră · Romania16–1861–64
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend · New Zealand16–1861–64
Jumilla Monastrell · Spain16–1861–64
Madiran · France16–1861–64
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon · Australia16–1861–64
Mavrud · Bulgaria16–1861–64
McLaren Vale Shiraz · Australia16–1861–64
Melnik · Bulgaria16–1861–64
Montefalco Sagrantino · Italy16–1861–64
Naoussa Xinomavro · Greece16–1861–64
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon · United States16–1861–64
Northern Rhône Syrah · France16–1861–64
Primitivo di Manduria · Italy16–1861–64
Priorat · Spain16–1861–64
Red Bordeaux · France16–1861–64
Ribera del Duero · Spain16–1861–64
Rioja Gran Reserva · Spain16–1861–64
Rioja Reserva · Spain16–1861–64
Saperavi · Georgia16–1861–64
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon · United States16–1861–64
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends · South Africa16–1861–64
Super Tuscan · Italy16–1861–64
Taurasi · Italy16–1861–64
Toro · Spain16–1861–64
Uco Valley Malbec · Argentina16–1861–64
Uruguayan Tannat · Uruguay16–1861–64
Vintage Port · Portugal16–1861–64
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon · United States16–1861–64
Washington Syrah · United States16–1861–64

Hitting the temperature without a thermometer

  • From a 20°C room, twenty minutes in the fridge takes a bottle down roughly 4–5°C — which is exactly the correction most reds need.
  • From a 4°C fridge, twenty minutes on the counter brings a white up roughly 3–4°C, which is the correction most whites need in the other direction.
  • Wine warms in the glass. Pouring slightly cooler than the target is more forgiving than pouring slightly warmer.
  • An ice bucket with ice and water is far faster than ice alone, because water conducts heat and air does not.

Work out how long a specific bottle will take →

Related tools

How long will it take to chill this bottle?

Chilling time calculator

An estimate based on Newton cooling, calibrated to the familiar rules of thumb, with the arithmetic shown and the freezer risk stated.

Does this wine need decanting?

Should I decant this?

Most wines do not need decanting. Say what you have and how old it is, and this says whether to bother, why, for how long, when it would actively make things worse — and what to use if you do not own a decanter.

Which glass should I use?

Glass finder

The shape that suits a given wine and the reason it helps — plus an honest note on when the difference is too small to care about.

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