Do you chill red wine?

Most red wines should be served at 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, which is cooler than typical room temperature in most homes. Red wine should be chilled in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes before serving. At this temperature, the bottle is cool to the touch, but not cold.

This temperature range is appropriate for cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, zinfandel and shiraz varietal red wines. Other red wines, such as Chianti and Rioja, benefit from a cooler serving temperature. These wines should be between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, or about one and a half hours in the refrigerator.