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Ideal Wine Storage Temperature: Reds Vs Whites

ideal wine storage temperature

The ideal red wine storage temperature is different from the perfect white wine storage temperature. Red wine temperature should be kept stable around 55°F (13°C) while white white wines should be stored slightly cooler around 45°F to 55°F (7°C to 13°C).

Keep reading to see the perfect wine serving temperatures by exact wine type.

Ideal Red Wine Storage Temperature

The perfect red wine storage temperature is 55°F (13°C).

This is often called the “cellar temperature.”

Why 55°F?

It strikes the perfect balance for aging gracefully without spoiling. It’s cool enough to slow chemical reactions (which preserves flavor) but not so cold that it risks damaging the wine.

Red Wine Storage Tips

wine cellar storage

If you’re storing red wine for a few months or years, a wine fridge or cool basement works best. Regular refrigerators are too cold (usually ~37°F), which can dull the wine or damage it over time.

Here are some red win storage tips:

Consistent temperature is more important than hitting exactly 55°F.
Fluctuations can cause cork expansion/contraction and let air in.
Keep humidity around 60–70% to help keep corks from drying out.
Dark space protects from UV damage (light can degrade wine).
Store bottles sideways to keep corks moist if they’re natural corks.

Ideal White Wine Storage Temperature

The ideal white wine storage temperature is 45°F to 55°F (7°C to 13°C).

Just like red wine, 55°F (13°C) is a safe universal target for long-term storage — especially if you’re storing both reds and whites in the same place.

Cooler temperatures (closer to 45°F) are better suited for crisper whites like Sauvignon Blanc, while richer whites like Chardonnay age well around 50–55°F.

Storage Tips for White Wine

white wine cellar storage

Avoid regular fridges for long-term storage — they’re too cold and dry (usually around 37°F), which can damage the wine.
Keep it dark and steady — fluctuations in light or temperature are worse than being a few degrees off.
Maintain humidity between 60–70% to help preserve cork integrity.

If you’re storing whites for more than a few months, a wine fridge or cool cellar is your best bet to maintain taste and longevity.

Wine Serving Temperatures by Type

Wine serving temperatures vary by color and the type of wine. In general, it follows the same rules as storing wines: reds are served at slightly warmer temps and white wines. Here’s a closer look:

Ideal Red Wine Serving Temperature

The ideal red wine serving temperature depends on the type, but generally falls in the range of: 55°F to 65°F (13°C to 18°C)

Here’s a quick breakdown:

red wine serving temperature

It’s best to serve light red wines like Pinot Noir and Gamay around 55–60°F (13–16°C), medium red wines like Merlot and Grenache at 60–63°F (16–17°C), and full-bodied red wines at 63–65°F (17–18°C).

Important Tip:

Many people serve red wine at room temperature, but modern room temps are often too warm (around 70–75°F), which can make reds taste overly alcoholic or flat. Slightly cooler brings out the best flavor and structure.

You can chill a bottle in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before serving to hit that ideal range.

Ideal White Wine Serving Temperature

The ideal white wine serving temperature depends on the type, but generally falls in the range of: 45°F to 55°F (7°C to 10°C).

Here’s a quick breakdown:

white whine serving temperature by type

It’s optimal to serve light white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Riesling chill but not icy around 45–50°F (7–10°C) and full-bodied whites like Chardonnay, Viognier, or White Burgundy at 60–63°F (16–17°C).