Serving Temperature

Temperature profoundly affects perception. Too cold mutes aroma and amplifies tannin; too warm makes alcohol prominent and wine flabby. Guidelines: full-bodied reds 16-18°C, light reds 13-16°C, rich whites 10-13°C, light whites and rosé 7-10°C, sparkling 5-8°C. Most restaurants serve whites too cold and reds too warm.