White Wine Storage Temperatures

White wine is stored at a cooler temperature than red wine.

Whether you're storing wine in a professional cellar, a small wine fridge or even just a cool and dark place in the home, storing wine at the right temperature will ensure the wine tastes as it was intended.

Significance

Storing wine in a warm place will change the flavor profile.

Wine stored too hot or too cold can actually harm the wine. Storing wine at the wrong temperature can damage it, according to Ray Isle in a "Food and Wine Magazine" article from September 2006. Drinking white wine too cold actually suppresses the flavor of the wine, says Anthony Giglio in a April 2006 "Boston Magazine" article.

Temperature

Storing wine below 48 degrees is recommended.

White wine is always stored cooler than red wine. The proper temperature for white is between 41 and 48 degrees Fahrenheit, says Giglio. Temperatures in the mid-40s are recommended for white wines such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Champagne, according to "Consumer Reports."

Considerations

Store wine in a cool, dark area.

If you don't have a professional cellar or temperature controlled wine fridge, store the wine in the darkest and coolest place in your place in your home such as a cupboard, closet or the basement, according to "Food and Wine Magazine's" Ray Isle.

References

• "Food and Wine Magazine": Wine Temperatures
• "Boston Magazine": Liquids: Wine Temperature
• "Consumer Reports": Serving Wine and Wine Storage

Resources

• "How Temperature Affects the Aging of Wine" by Alexander J. Pandell, Ph.D.