What serving temperature is right for each type of wine?

Many people are unsure of the best temperature to serve and enjoy wine. Should all reds be served at the same temperature? Whites always very cold? Should you put sparkling wines in the freezer?

Well, we’re going to try to answer these questions and explain the right serving temperature for each type of wine. Before we start, though, here are some basic rules of thumb you might not know:

- No, red wine shouldn’t be served at room temperature. Remember, red wines need a specific temperature that is rarely what they are kept at in a home or restaurant. So, our first tip for anyone who drinks wine regularly is to have a temperature-controlled wine cabinet.

- If you drink a white or rosé wine very cold, meaning basically straight out of the freezer at 2-4ºC, you won’t appreciate the aromas or more acidic flavours, which means you won’t get to fully enjoy the wine.

- However, if the wine is very “warm” (meaning over 20ºC), you’ll taste the alcohol much more.

Now let’s break it down!

The right temperature for red wine: young, Crianza or Reserva

Did you know that not all red wines should be served at the same temperature? It depends on their ageing. One thing does apply for all of them, though: they shouldn’t be kept in the fridge.

- Young red wines: it’s best to drink a young red quite cool, at 13-14ºC. For example, our 875m tinto is perfect at about 14ºC. How can you get it to this temperature at home before serving? The fastest, most effective way (if you don’t have a wine fridge) is to put the bottle of young red wine into a water and ice bath for about five minutes.

- Crianza red wines: the best temperature for a Crianza wine is 15ºC, like our flagship wine El Coto Crianza. You can use the same method to cool it down if it has been stored in a warmer area. But be careful not to get it too cold.

- Reserva and Gran Reserva red wines: Did you know a Reserva or Gran Reserva served under 16ºC will be much harsher on the palate? Plus, you won’t be able to truly appreciate the bouquet and tertiary aromas. That’s why we recommend serving these wines, such as our Coto de Imaz Reserva or Coto Real Reserva, at no less than 16ºC and no more than 18ºC.

What temperature for white and rosé wines?

Did you know that not all white wines should be served at the same temperature? It’s not only for reds that serving temperature depends on ageing. The same is true for whites, too!

A very young wine like our El Coto Blanco Verdejo is best served at roughly 7ºC. Serving this wine at the right temperature will allow you to enjoy the intense aromas of tropical fruit, fennel and aniseed. It’s perfect for pairing with seafood, fish, rice and pasta dishes.

If you’re having a more aged white, like our Coto de Imaz Reserva Blanco, the serving temperature should be more like 12ºC. This wine is different from most whites, as it is aged for 12 months in French-oak barrels. Then it stays in the bottle for at least 12 months, where it takes on its characteristic bouquet. This white, however, is a great pairing for game, red meat and beef. Did you know that?

For rosé wines, the proper serving temperature, like for young whites, is 7-8ºC.

Our white and rosé wines are spectacular!

The right temperature for sparkling and semisweet white wines

Young sparkling wines are best quite cold, served at 6-8ºC. “Vintage” sparkling wines, however, which have been aged longer, are best served at 8-10ºC.

Semisweet white wines, great with starters and appetisers, cheese, fruit and dessert, are best served at the same temperature as a normal white: 7-8ºC.

Try our El Coto Semidulce!