Wine Fridge Temperatures for Red Wines (Perfect Combination)
Having a glass of wine can be a pleasant way to relax and enjoy an evening, but only if it is of high quality.
To maintain a good wine collection, it is essential to keep it in good shape. A wine that does not retain its quality, texture, and taste will waste money.
And, of course, you don’t want your money to end up wasted.
Relax! The only thing you have to do is store the different types of wines according to their preferred temperatures to save money
You heard that right, different types of wine require different temperatures. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you with all you need to know about storing wine at the right temperature.
Importance of Wine Fridge Temperature for Red Wine
By maintaining the right temperature for wine storage, chemical interactions that provide the desired flavor and aroma can be preserved. Improper temperatures can have a damaging effect, altering the taste of the wine and even causing it to spoil.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that wine is stored correctly and at the optimal temperature to maintain its flavor and quality. This is where the wine fridge comes in. It provides a convenient and secure way to store wine and helps protect it from spoilage and degradation that can occur when storing it incorrectly.
Ideal Red Wine Storage Temperature in Wine Fridge
To ensure the best flavor and aromas, make sure to keep your red wine in a cool, dark place at a consistent temperature of 55°F (12°C).
If you plan to store wine for more than a year, you should keep the temperature at 55°F, and temperatures between 45°F and 65°F are recommended for short-term wine storage.
Despite any situation, it is extremely important to maintain a constant temperature. A constant switch in temperature can damage wine labels, cause oxidation, and prematurely age the wine.
Here are the types of wines and their ideal storage temperatures
Full Bodied Red Wines
The alcohol content of full-bodied red wines is usually over 13.5%. These red wines are typically made with thick-skinned grapes and have a strong taste and robust texture, making them a favorite of many wine lovers.
| Type of Wine | Ideal Storage Temperature | Ideal ServingTemperature |
| Red Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barolo, Barberesco, BrunelloMalbec, Merlot and Recioto | 63°F (17°C) | 60-65°F (15-18°C) |
| Shiraz,Grand Cru, Bordeaux, ZinfandelCarménère and Ribera del duero | 64°F (18°C) | 65°F (18°C) |
| Vintage Port, Madeira and Banyulus | 66°F (19°C) | 60-64°F (15-18°C) |
Light to Medium Red Wines
Medium-bodied red wines have an alcohol content between 12.5% and 13.5%, whereas light reds have less than 12.5%. They are usually made from thin-skinned, delicate grapes (such as Pinot Noir).
| Type of Wine | Ideal Storage Temperature | Ideal ServingTemperature |
| Beaujolais | 54°F (12°C) | 55°F (12-17°C) |
| Portuguese and SpanishRed wine | 55°F (13°C) | 53-57°F (12-14°C) |
| Light Zinfandel or Chianti | 59°F (15°C) | 55-60°F (12-15°C) |
| Bordeaux, Merlot. Rioja, and Pinot Noir | 61°F (16°C) | 55-60°F (12-15°C) |
Sweet Red Wines
Sparkling sweet wines should be served below cellar temperature, while sweet wines like Port can be served at room temperature.
| Type of Wine | Ideal Storage Temperature | Ideal ServingTemperature |
| Sherry, Tawny Port, And Chinon | 57°F (14°C) | 57-60°F (14-16°C) |
| Brachetto D’acqui,Lambrusco, And Sparkling Wine | 54°F (12°C) | 47-54°F (8-12°C) |
| Rosso Dolce | 54°F (12°C) | 39-42°F (4-6°C) |
| Vin Santo | 57°F (14°C) | 57-60°F (14-16°C) |
Rose Wines
Rosé wine strikes a nice balance between red wine’s bold, mature flavors and white wine’s light sweetness. Similarly, they store best at a temperature that falls between that of red wines and that of white wines.
| Type of Wine | Ideal Storage Temperature |
| Pinot Nero Rose and Grenache Rose | 52°F (11°C) |
| Syrah Rose and White Zinfandel | 52-55°F (12-13°C) |
Best Conditions to Store Red Wine in Fridge
When storing red wine, there are a few other factors you need to consider in addition to maintaining the right temperature which we’ve discussed below.
Storage Facility
It is very important to store your red wines properly. For that, you can purchase a wine fridge or wine cellar to store them for short periods.
You can also chill red wine in a wine refrigerator before serving it if you need the right temperature. However, you should set the temperature of the wine fridge between 50°F and 65°F (11°C and 18°C).
If you don’t have a wine fridge, we have shared how you can store wines without a fridge or cellar.
Temperature Consistency
A constant temperature is important when storing wine, as a change in temperature can damage it and affect its quality and taste.
Position Of Bottle Matters
Red wines with corks should be stored horizontally in wine racks. As a result, the cork stays moist, reducing the chances of oxidation and spoilage, which means that the wine does not age as rapidly.
Even though screw-capped bottles do not have to be stored horizontally, doing so in your cellar can still save you space.
No Vibrations
Vibrations can disrupt the flavor and quality of red wines, so it is important to keep them away from sources of vibration. These vibrations can create inconsistencies in the aging process, resulting in an inferior product.
So keep them away from the vibrations caused by household appliances and exercise equipment.
Maintaining Relative Humidity
It’s crucial to maintain a humidity level of 50–70% for the best wine preservation (with 60% being ideal).
In a humid environment, your wine labels will become damaged, making them difficult to display and sell to wine collectors. In the absence of 50% humidity, the cork of your wine will dry out and oxidize.
Darkness Plays Magic Role
Magic! This one thing can do wonders. When storing red wine, it is essential to keep it in the dark place for as long as possible. In direct sunlight, the flavors and aromas of wine can be severely damaged.
Wine can be kept at its best in a dark place.
FAQs
Does Chilling Red Wine Ruin it?
No, ideally, red wine should be served chilled. For most red wines, 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal, especially light reds and those with low alcohol content. These wines can be chilled longer and served much cooler than typical ones.
Do Italians Chill Red Wine?
It is generally recommended to be served slightly chilled. Unlike white wine, don’t chill it too much. I recommend keeping it a few degrees below room temperature, though.
What if we store Red Wine Above 65°F?
Keeping red wine at a warmer temperature will speed up the aging process.
If the temperature rises above 70°F, the red wine will lose its rich flavors and aromas. Additionally, heat can damage the wine’s seal, causing it to oxidize and spoil.
What if we store Red Wine Below 45°F?
If your red wine is stored at a cooler temperature, it will age slower.
Due to this change, it will be harder to age a bottle of red wine correctly since you will not be able to follow standard wine aging guidelines.
Furthermore, storing wine below 20°F can cause the cork and seal to break, which may even lead to the wine bottle cracking.
Conclusion
Especially for long-term consumption, wine lovers should pay attention to the ideal conditions for particular wines.
Each wine is different, but with the right temperatures and storage methods mentioned above, they can be useful to preserve and enjoy the wine to the fullest.