What temp should a wine fridge be
Blog,  Wine Fridge Information

What Temp Should a Wine Fridge Be?

David J Sharp
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In this article, we’re going to be discussing what temperature a wine refrigerator should be operated at.

Did you know that it takes approximately 1.5 hours to chill from room temperature (70 degrees) to 50 degrees? [bu.edu] And so you’ll want to make sure that your wine is chilled well in advance to when you’re looking to serve it.

But what temperature should you store your wine at?

Well, there are several factors that would affect the temperature that you should have your wine cooler at, and we’ve provided these directly below:

Types of Wine Cooler

Now before we dive into the temperatures, let’s briefly talk about the fact that there are 2 main types of wine cooler, which are compressor and thermoelectric units.

These two units have different temperature capabilities, with thermoelectric wine coolers typically ranging in temperature range of 47°F – 65°F. Whilst compressor wine coolers have an approximate temperature range of 40°F – 66°F.

This is important to consider when looking to purchase a wine refrigerator and run it on a day-to-day basis. Because you simply cannot serve wine at a colder temperature than your cooler is able to operate at.

With that being said, you want to make sure that your wine refrigerator is reliable, and does not malfunction or cause temperature fluctuations.

Additionally, you may want to read more about the differences between these two types of wine cooler, in our comparison article.

Wine Collection

The wine storage temperature of your unit will not only depend on the cooler‘s capability, but it will also depend on the wines that you’re looking to preserve.

A lot of blogs will say that red and white wines should be cooled at the same temperature, and whilst this can be done, we recommend cooling your white wines at a slightly lower temperature than your reds.

This would either require 2 separate wine fridges, to store red wine and white wine in different units, or it would require a dual zone wine cooler, which has 2 compartments within the same unit, where the temperature can be independently adjusted.

Now, some wine collectors might only be looking to store a single type of wine, and thus, they don’t need to consider this so much.

Ideal Storage Temperature

Directly below, we’ve provided specific temperatures for storing different types of wine.

Store at approximately 45 degrees

  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Rose
  • Sparkling wine
  • Pinot Grigio

Store between 50 & 55 degrees

  • Chardonnay

Store between 55 & 60 degrees

  • Merlot
  • Malbec
  • Zinfandel
  • Pinot Noir
  • Port
  • Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Ideal Serving Temperature

The ideal serving temperature of your wine bottle is quite a subjective matter for most wine connoisseurs.

Some prefer their wine chilled, and others prefer it to be served at room temperature… It’s all personal preference here.

As long as the wine has been stored in a cool environment, with minimal vibrations and exposure to light, the ideal serving temperature is completely up to your own taste.

However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow below for the ideal temperature to serve each type of wine:

40-50 Degrees

  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Rose
  • Sparkling wine
  • Pinot Grigio

50-60 Degrees

  • Chardonnay

55-70 Degrees

  • Merlot
  • Malbec
  • Zinfandel
  • Pinot Noir
  • Port
  • Cabernet Sauvignon

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re looking at what temperature your wine fridge should be, then we recommend following the above wine storage and wine serving temperature guidelines for the most success..

And remember, wine collecting is not just about learning from other wine enthusiasts, but it’s also about experiencing things yourself.

So although it’s wise to roughly stick the guidelines regarding the storage temperature, you can certainly experiment with serving wines at different temperatures, to find the right temperature for your pallet.

Additionally, if you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to answer them ASAP.

David J Sharp is a wine equipment expert, having previously worked with some of the best wine cooler manufacturers within the USA. Today he works as a full-time wine cooler and wine cellar consultant for small and large clients alike. You can find out more about LoveCraftWines here.

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