Should You Chill Red Wine? | The Reason Explained
There are numerous myths about red wine. One of the most widespread misconceptions is that red wines are best served at room temperature compared to white wines. However, the truth is that reds taste well when served slightly chilled. It is especially appreciated on the hot summer days when all you want is a glass of refreshing alcoholic drink. Please visit our online shop to select the most delicate bottle of red wine to suit your needs and budget. Today, we`ll determine how long to chill wine in freezer.
Should you chill red wine?
In fact, alcohol in wine tends to evaporate rapidly in warm conditions. Consequently, it can change or mask the actual bouquet of wine aromas. Therefore, it makes sense to chill red wines before serving them. The environment with cold temperatures can enhance the wine flavors and slow down alcohol evaporation. Do you chill red wine? If yes, the wine taste becomes bolder and more concentrated. Moreover, wine chilling has the potential to make the alcohol more muted.
According to wine experts, not all reds require chilling. It would be best to refrigerate bright wine with high acidity, while high-tannin and high-alcohol wines prefer moderate temperatures since tannins can become more metallic. Wines made from grapes with high acidities, such as those from Germany and Italian Sicily, should be served cold. It will never hurt to place light-bodied wines with high acidities, such as Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, in a refrigerator for 90 minutes. At the same time, 45 minutes are sufficient for full-bodied reds, including Bordeaux, as they taste warmer.
How to chill wine fast?
There are multiple methods to refrigerate your red wines, each with its own pros and cons. For instance, you can place a bottle of wine into the freezer for no longer than 30 minutes. Keep in mind that extreme temperatures can freeze the water in wine so that a bottle can crack or the cork can be pushed out. It is one of the fastest ways to chill wine bottles. Chilling wine in a refrigerator for an hour or two before your guests come is also the way to go. The ideal temperature to keep alcoholic drinks is between 35°F and 40°F.
Apart from a refrigerator and freezer for chilling your wine, stick to an icy salt bath as the best way to refresh alcoholic drinks. Use a container or bucket for this method and fill it with water, ice, and some salt. As ice absorbs heat from the water and salt maintains low temperatures, you can chill a red or white wine bottle in as little as 15 minutes. It is why icy salt baths are pretty widespread in restaurants and hotels. By the way, if you need to cool a single glass of wine, try to place it in a fridge instead of an entire bottle. Reusable ice cubes are also suitable for chilling small amounts of red wine.