Should You Chill Red Wine?

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ask most people how to serve red wine and they will say room temperature. It is one of the most repeated pieces of wine advice, and one of the most misleading. The truth is that a lot of red is served too warm, and some of it is genuinely better with a chill.

Where “room temperature” went wrong

The rule was coined when rooms were cold. A Victorian dining room sat at perhaps 16 to 18°C, which is close to ideal for a full-bodied red. A modern centrally heated room runs at 21 to 23°C, and at that warmth alcohol turns harsh, the fruit blurs, and the wine feels flabby.

Serving on Sommo — AI Wine Scanner, WSET Prep & Wine Journal App

Should You Chill Red Wine?

Where “room temperature” went wrong