To keep wine at the right temperature, you have to know enough about the different types and colors of wine, and which should be kept at which temperature. Proper storage ensures that the wine you buy will taste its best, and you'll save yourself the embarrassment of having company over and pouring them glasses of warm Chardonnay!
Instructions
1. The general rule for wine temperature is that white wine is kept cold, and red wine is kept closer to room temperature. Begin by taking a look at the bottle of wine you have. If it's red, leave it on the counter for now. If it's white, put it in the fridge.
2. Red wine keeps best when stored in a wine cellar, but it is an expensive investment for non-wine connoisseurs. The next best place to store your red wine is in the basement or in a closet. Although red wine shouldn't be kept cold, heat is also not good for wine. Storing in a dark place like a basement or closet, where less light will reach, keeps it just a bit cooler. Heat ages wine, and humidity can cause mold and mildew. Choose a location with minimal light, heat, and humidity. A temperature between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended.
3. White wine will remain cold in the fridge, but that alone might not bring it to the perfect temperature. Your fridge is probably between 35 and 38 degrees, which is often too cold for a white wine, although that's a matter of personal taste. You can let the wine sit out of the fridge until it reaches a temperature you enjoy, and then use a wine sleeve, a container you keep in the freezer, to keep it cool. Or, if you are only drinking a glass, you can use plastic ice cubes. Real ice cubes can't be substituted because they will melt into the wine, watering it down and changing the taste.
Tags: basement closet, between degrees, kept cold, white wine, wine kept, wine will
