Should Riesling Be Refrigerated?
Like most beverages, to really enjoy wine, one needs to drink it at the right temperature. Unfortunately, many people buy wine, go home, and automatically put it into the refrigerator, thinking that cold is the best way to drink wine. It is important to know, however, what Riesling serving temperature is best. Serving very cold or very warm wine to your guests may not go over well for your dinner party.
Know How to Reveal the Right Character of the Wine
Should Riesling be refrigerated? Experts recommend serving wine at the right temperature as this reveals its character, flavor profile, and aroma. If the wine is either too cold or too warm, you will miss out on these important wine features. The one thing you should never do is store wine in the freezer.
Other than the risk of explosion, the wine will lose its taste, and the aroma will disappear. That is definitely a “no-no.” Today, Riesling wine has become as popular as Chardonnay, but the big question is, “What is the correct Riesling serving temperature?”
What is the Correct Riesling Serving Temperature?
In general, white wines taste great when they are slightly chilled and the same applies to Riesling wines. The degree of coolness, however, is critical. The Riesling serving temperature is best at between 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (or 7-9 degrees Celsius [C]). If you place Riesling wine in the refrigerator overnight, it will typically attain a temperature of around 37 degrees F (3 degrees C).
This is a little too cold as a Riesling serving temperature. You should, therefore, let the wine rest at room temperature for about five minutes before serving to attain a temperature of approximately 45-50 degrees F.
Don’t Remove the Wine From the Refrigerator Too Soon
Remove the wine from the refrigerator just before you are going to serve it. Premature removing the Riesling wine from the refrigerator and letting it sit at room temperature for a long time will erase some of the aroma. After serving the wine, place it in an ice bucket and use a thermometer to monitor the temperature. The cooler temperatures will provide a balance between the sweetness, acidity, and tannic qualities of the wine.
Should Riesling be refrigerated? The best way to know what temperature to serve Riesling is by taking a few bottles of the wine and storing them at cold, room, and warm temperatures. Try each to determine the taste, flavor, and aroma.
In the end, it is all a matter of personal preference. Some wine connoisseurs like their wine to be cold, and others like it to be at room temperature. If you are serving Riesling wine and want to enjoy it to the fullest, chill it at 45-50 degrees F first, and it will interact with your meal better to complement all the flavors. Call Pacific Rim and Company at 503-863-5454 to get answers to your questions about all things Riesling because they are experts.