The perfect temperature

The frequently stated consensus in the wine world is that here in the states we drink our white wine too cold and our red wine too warm. So what is the perfect temperature for consuming your favorite varietal? Like so much of your wine experience the answer is personal and comes down to what you like best, but there are some guidelines and techniques you can employ as a wine consumer to get close to temperature nirvana.

In Europe dating back centuries much of the wine was stored in caves or below ground in the family cellar, and this storage was accomplished without the fancy racking systems many use today. These storage areas tend to maintain a cool temperature in the low to mid-50s, leading to the target temperature of many commercially manufactured wine coolers of around 55 degrees. We find this temperature to be desirable for many wines we consume.

For whites if you chill the wine too much the fruit flavors are severely diminished. It is easy to tell when you have a white too cold as your palate will pick up only the non-fruit flavors like oak, alcohol and if they are left with residual sugar, sweetness. This too low temperature too will limit their ability to really shine with a meal. Food friendliness of wine comes down to the fruit character and acid content of the wine which is diminished when the wine is over-chilled.

One other consideration with all of your wine is the likely warming of the wine that takes place while it is in your glass. Initially the wine will come up a degree or two just as it is poured into the room temperature glass, and maybe a little more as you swirl and sip the wine, so depending on personal taste starting at a lower temperature to account for this warming may be a good idea.

We always discourage the addition of ice to wine as the melting ice dilutes the flavors intended by the winemaker. Similarly, the addition of other cold items to the wine will change the wine not always with a positive impact.

When it comes to red wine drinking them too warm can similarly amp up the alcohol detectable on the human palate, making the wine taste stronger than it really is and also masking much of the fruit flavor and nuance of the wine. A red wine too warm can also cause the wine to be unbalanced so the normally smooth integration of aromas, flavors and finish seem unpleasant on the palate.

The question then becomes if you do not have a cellar, wine storage unit or some other means to keep your wine at that perfect mid-50s cellar temp what to do? For whites the easiest solution is to keep them in your regular refrigerator, then about 15-20 minutes prior to drinking the wine take it out of the refrigerator and set it on the counter. This will be enough to raise the temperature slightly to allow the fruit to come out in the wine, and yet not warm it too much.

Similarly for reds if you are storing them at normal room temperature, about 20 minutes before you want to drink the wine put it in the refrigerator. This will again chill the wine just enough to balance the flavors and aromas and allow it to show its full potential.

Another solution if you are enjoying your wine outside where you have no refrigeration is a relatively recent innovation called the "corkcicle." This ingenious device is a wine cork with a gel freezer stick attached to it. You place the "corkcicle" in the freezer and when you head out doors you can then put it into your bottle of wine whether it is white or red to lower, or maintain the temperature at the desired level. Since the freezer stick portion does displace some of the wine you will need to pour some of the wine to accommodate the device.

While having a basement or underground area is an inexpensive and easy way to store your wine at the generally regarded ideal temperature, these are some solutions to get your wine to the temperature where each wine consumer enjoys it the most. Experimentation will lead each of you to the best experience with different varietals and finding the temperature where they really shine.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.

George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party - a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo and writes frequently for the online version of Coeur d'Alene Magazine at www.cdamagazine.com. You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. You can get all of these articles as well as other great wine tips by friending us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop.