Tasting
At what temperature should white wine be served?
For optimal tasting that honors both the wine and your taste buds, it's best to serve and drink your white wine at the ideal serving temperature, between 9°C and 14°C depending on the type of wine or champagne.
What is the ideal serving temperature for white wine?
To enjoy a white wine at its best, it should be served at the right temperature once it has left the cellar. While some white wines lend themselves well to chilling, other bottles reveal their richness at room temperature once slightly warmed.
For a bottle of crisp, dry white wine, cold emphasizes acidity and freshness, while tightening tannins. For sweeter, even syrupy white wines, a warmer temperature emphasizes their roundness. Warmth also brings out the bottle's alcohol content. Serving temperature therefore varies according to grape variety and white wine produced.
| Type of white wine and varietal | Varietals or type of wine | Serving temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Dry white wines | Sauvignon, Sancerre, Muscat | between 9 and 11 °C |
| Round white wines | Burgundy, Jura | between 10 and 13 °C |
| Sweet and syrupy white wines | Sauternes, late harvest | between 10 and 13 °C |
| Full-bodied, opulent white wines | Chardonnay, Roussanne | between 11 and 14 °C |
| Sparkling white wines | Crémant, Champagne | between 8 and 10 °C |
| Type of white wine and varietal | Dry white wines |
| Varietals or type of wine | Sauvignon, Sancerre, Muscat |
| Serving temperature | between 9 and 11 °C |
| Type of white wine and varietal | Round white wines |
| Varietals or type of wine | Burgundy, Jura |
| Serving temperature | between 10 and 13 °C |
| Type of white wine and varietal | Sweet and syrupy white wines |
| Varietals or type of wine | Sauternes, late harvest |
| Serving temperature | between 10 and 13 °C |
| Type of white wine and varietal | Full-bodied, opulent white wines |
| Varietals or type of wine | Chardonnay, Roussanne |
| Serving temperature | between 11 and 14 °C |
| Type of white wine and varietal | Sparkling white wines |
| Varietals or type of wine | Crémant, Champagne |
| Serving temperature | between 8 and 10 °C |
Drink your white wine at the ideal serving temperature for an exceptional tasting experience.
To appreciate its aromas and texture, a wine - whether white, red, rosé or sparkling - should be served at the right temperature, not to be confused with the "cellar temperature". Temperature influences taste perception and the chemical balance of the wine. For the same wine served at different temperatures, the tasting experience differs.
For precise temperature measurement, there are a number of different cellars (for storage, ageing, service and tasting). Some are also specific to the type of wine, while others have dedicated compartments.
For a "vintage tasting", respecting the serving temperature isn't everything. To ensure that your wine doesn't run out of breath, and to give its bouquet time to develop, let your wine breathe. Thanks to a wine aerator, give spontaneity to your grands crus and enjoy them in the best possible conditions. Put your vintages on the table when friends drop in unexpectedly for dinner or an aperitif.
Aveine's advice
Generally speaking, red wines should be served at a higher temperature than white wines and champagne, between 14°C and 18°C. Rosé wines should be served cool, between 8 and 10°C.
