Should you chill your red wine?
For most wine lovers, the phrase “serve at room temperature” has been repeated so often it feels like law. But what happens when room temperature means 72°F in midsummer—or a cozy 68°F living room with the heater running?
Should you chill your red wine? Most red wines are served too warm. And as Julien Miquel, Bordeaux-trained winemaker and Bonner Private Wines host, shows in his latest experiment, just a slight chill can completely transform your glass.
The Magic Number
The ideal serving temperature for most reds is around 62–64°F (17–18°C)—a touch cooler than the average household. Wines served warmer than that can lose freshness, taste heavy, and emphasize alcohol instead of fruit.
When it’s hot outside, or your home runs warm, pop your bottle in the fridge for 30–45 minutes before opening. That brief chill will bring balance back to the glass, making fruit notes brighter and tannins smoother.
What Happens When You Chill a Red
In Julien’s experiment with a Rhone Valley red (Vacqueyras), the differences were striking:
- Room temperature bottle (68°F): aromatic but heavy—ripe, jammy fruits, chocolate, and a hint of alcohol heat.
- Chilled bottle (62°F): fresher, tighter, bursting with strawberry and red berry notes, with acidity shining through before the spice and oak reappear as it warms in the glass.
The chilled version revealed the wine’s complexity gradually, like a slow unfurling rather than an immediate punch.
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Not All Reds Are Equal
Big, powerful reds—think Malbec, Syrah, or Cabernet Sauvignon—benefit most from a light chill. Their higher alcohol and richness can feel heavy when warm. On the other hand, delicate wines like Pinot Noir or lighter Burgundies may become too closed-off if served too cold.
The goal isn’t to make your wine cold—it’s to let it breathe and reveal its best balance.
Try It Yourself
Next time you open a bottle, try Julien’s test at home:
Chill one for half an hour, leave another at room temperature, and taste both side by side. You might discover that your favorite wine shines brightest a few degrees cooler than you think.
See It in Action
If you’d like to see how the difference plays out in real time, watch Julien Miquel’s full video “Should You Chill Your Red Wine?” on the Bonner Private Wines YouTube Channel.
There, Julien demonstrates the side-by-side tasting and explains why temperature can make or break your red wine experience.
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Cheers,
The Bonner Private Wines Team
This article was written based on the YouTube video “Should You Chill Your Red Wine?” by Julien Miquel, created for the Bonner Private Wines YouTube Channel.
