The reason red wines should be chilled before serving more often comes down to how the wine is perceived on the palate. Serving red wine at the proper temperature can enhance its flavors, aromas, and overall drinking experience. Experts agree that light red wines should spend some time on ice this summer, as they can benefit from being served slightly chilled. However, the proper serving temperature is nuanced, depending on the style of the wine, the vintage, the weather, and your own personal taste.
Too many variables and a need to market merchandise makes tomfoolery out of discussions of wine temperatures. Some argue that red wine should always be served at room temperature, while others believe that chilling certain red wines can bring out their best qualities. A chilled red wine is so refreshing on a warm summer's day; but which are the best red wines to serve chilled? It ultimately comes down to personal preference and experimentation.
Wine Spectator's resident wine expert, Dr. Vinny, explains which temperatures are optimum for long-term wine storage and serving wine. Different types of red wines may benefit from being served at slightly different temperatures, so it's important to consider the specific characteristics of each wine when deciding how to serve it. If you're looking for the best wine fridge for your needs, you'll first and foremost want one that can keep wines at a stable temperature to keep them from spoiling.