Storing wine in a wine cooler maintains its optimal temperature, enhancing flavor and preventing spoilage from heat, cold, or temperature fluctuations. Wondering how to store wine in a wine cooler? Adjusting the temperature based on the needs of red, white, and sparkling wines ensures that each is stored properly. Learn the ideal wine cooler temperature settings for these three common wines to best enjoy every sip.
The 411 on Wine Cooler Temperature Settings
If you have a single-zone model, the ideal temperature for a wine cooler should be 54℉ to preserve both red and white wines. However, the best wine coolers have dual temperature zones to achieve the ideal settings specific to each wine. We’ll specify the right wine cooler temperature settings for red, white, and sparkling wines and why they’re so important.
Red Wine Storage Temperature
What is the optimal temperature for storing wine such as merlot, pinot noir, or cabernet sauvignon? Red wines are best stored between 60-65℉, though experts consider 62℉ to be ideal. Remaining just below room temperature prevents “cooking” the wine with heat that flattens its flavors. It also avoids cold temperatures that can increase tannins to unpleasant levels.
How long can you store wine at room temperature after it’s been opened? An opened bottle of red wine can sit safely at room temperature for up to two days. After that, exposure to air can start to affect its flavor, making it sharper and more astringent. If possible, store an opened bottle of red wine away from the kitchen’s heat and direct sunlight that can also negatively affect flavor.
Best Temperature to Store White Wine
Unlike red wine, the flavors of white wines and rosés are enhanced by cool temperatures. The average wine storage temperature chart recommends storing white wine between 50°F and 60℉, with 55℉ considered perfect.
These cooler temps actually lift the delicate flavors of most whites. But beware of the standard refrigerator when storing white wine: colder temperatures can mute some of its more fragile nuances. This is why a wine cooler is so essential for keeping whites at their best.
How to Store Sparkling Wine
Unlike reds and whites, cold temperatures are ideal for maximizing the taste and texture of sparkling wines. The best is widely considered to be 40℉, while an accepted range for wine cooler temperature settings is 38-42℉. This not only maximizes flavor but allows the carbonation to remain fresh and snappy, keeping foaming to a minimum.
While storing sparkling wines in the refrigerator is acceptable for the short-term, the arid conditions can dry out the cork over time. This allows air to enter and alter its flavor, eventually spoiling the wine. The more humid environment of a wine cooler can best preserve sparkling wines for long-term storage.
We hope this guide to wine cooler temperature settings enables you to enjoy all your wine to its fullest. Are temperature problems leaving you in need of a wine cooler repair service? Call Appliance Service Station for a fast and professional assessment.
