Red wines are actually presumed to be greatly served at a room temperature when it is warmer. However, there are some types of red wine that actually give off its best flavors when chilled. So, what are these types of red wines that taste great when chilled? Actually, Pinot Noir is a type of red wine, so does Pinot Noir need to be chilled? Check our wine serving and storing guide below!
Types of Red Wine Best Served When Chilled
Generally, the temperature has a great impact over the tastes and smells of the wine. Cold wine basically gives a less alcohol taste perception. However, in this state, the actual flavor of the wine cannot be tasted. Meanwhile, for a warm wine, we can actually perceive the more alcohol in it.
Moreover, this is also the reason why cocktails, cheap beers and some shots are served chilled – to be able to suppress the taste of the alcohol in it. Yet, in terms of red wine, you may wonder which type needs to be chilled? If there is any, how long is the chilling time is? Basically, it is too complicated; all you need is to take account of the red wine’s body.
Actually, the body is the weight and intensity of the red wine over your mouth. A full-bodied wine will have a body that makes the mouth full and powerful. Moreover, a thinner and less intense wine on the mouth is usually the light-bodied one. Also, the color and opacity are also correlated together. A light-bodied wine may let you see through it up into the light.
When it comes on wine chilling and the length of time of the chilling process, there is no definite rule that defines the hard from the quick one. However, the light-bodied wines typically need some time to be on the fridge. This wine needs to stay there for an hour or more before the bottle begins to feel cold.
Below are the different red wine types that need to be chilled to serve them at their best:
Lambrusco
The Lambrusco grapes in northeastern Italy are the main source of Lambrusco, really light-bodied sparkling wines. There are actually various tastes of Lambruscos available. Some maybe sweet which is a result of leaving the sugar into the wine. The other taste is the medium-dry wherein there is still some sugar into the wine. Lastly, some Lambruscos taste dry which means that there is so small amount or no sugar left in the wine at all.
Moreover, Lambrusco is spritzy because its fermentation process gives off carbon dioxide. The sparkling winemaking generally begins by creating a still wine without any sparkles at first. Afterwards, more sugars are added and the yeast will again take into the process again. This step is called as the secondary fermentation which traps the gas in the wine.
Beaujolais
The origin of Beaujolais is in France which the wine comes from the Gamay grape. This type of grape creates the lightest-bodied red wines. In this type of red wine, you may notice the relationship between the wine body and the length of time for ageing inside the bottle. Generally, it is the characteristics of the Gamay grape which allow some of the Beaujolais to be released as fast as necessary right after harvesting. Bear in mind that most of the best Beaujolais red wine takes more time inside the bottle before being palatable.
Barbera d’Asti
Another wine that comes from the northeastern part of Italy is the Barbera d’Asti. This wine comes from the Barbera grape which ranked as the third-most planted grape within the country. They have actually a very high acid level and not complicated. Moreover, the aging for this wine only requires just a little time which sounds good for chilled drinkers.
Zinfandel
Comes from Zinfandel grape, the white Zinfandel is packed with sugars and preservatives. Basically, Zinfandel is the main red grape of California over a long time. Some people even think that this was a native on the place.
This wine is generally a big-bodied wine which is not consumed cold most of the time. Aside from that, Zinfandel is something inexpensive and bright. You can have it on hand at the Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley.
Pinot Noir
Basically, when we speak of the world’s most revered wine grapes, it is none other than the Pinot Noir. It is generally the foundation of red wines of Burgundy – the most iconic region in France. Moreover, the revered wine grapes are also planted in other different places like California, New Zealand, and Oregon. Pinot Noir generally has a lighter body and creates a complex and really great-tasting wines.
So, does Pinot Noir need to be chilled? Basically, producing this wine is labor-intensive which is considered as its downside. Yet, this also simply means that getting a good one on a cheap price may be really challenging. To answer the question “does Pinot Noir need to be chilled”, let’s take a look at the Acacia Pinot Noir as an example. It is good under $15 and creates a bright and earthy characteristic after chilling.
This means that in order to extract the greatness of Pinot Noir, it is basically best served when chilled. Another great tasting drink which also made from the mixture of Pinot Noir grapes and Chardonnay grapes is the Champagne. Yet, the blanc de noir Champagne exclusively comes from the grape of Pinot Noir itself which is made in Methode Champenoise.
The popularity of Pinot Noir
Among the other types of red wine that best served when chilled, Pinot Noir is the most popular. But, before we totally dig into answering “does Pinot Noir need to be chilled”, let us first learn the reason why this red wine is so popular. Actually, the Pinot Noir grape demands for a more precise growing environment, lower temperature with sufficient rainfall all year-round.
Generally, the right amount of rainfall is highly essential for Pinot Noir grape. But, heavy rainfall may lead to watered-down wines having an anaemic flavor. The wines of the Pinot Noir within the colder places may have enhanced flavors such as the dark cherries, cigars, cocoa, leather, and mushrooms. This may generally answer the question “does Pinot Noir needs to be chilled”. Once we chill this red wine, we may able to extract and let it flavors come out.
However, within warm countries, the grapes of the Pinot Noir may produce fruity, luscious wines with some touch of the sublime tip of ripeness. These typically have juicy flavors and jammy fruit tastes.
Historically, the wines of Pinot Noir originally came from wild varieties of grapes within the Burgundy region. But, according to some viticulturists, the said grape species are just brought to Burgundy from ancient Greece. For about many decades, the Catholic Church has the main responsibility of controlling almost all vines of Burgundy Pinot Noir.
But, the new government took the grapes from the church during the French Revolution in the late 1700s. The vines were distributed to families situated within the region. This results to family-owned vineyards and backyard wineries.
The Flavors in Pinot Noir
Does Pinot Noir need to be chilled? Actually, to bring out the best flavors of Pinot Noir wine, you need to use the best temperature in serving it. Missing out some of the wine subtle results from serving this wine either too warm or too cold.
Moreover, the style of Pinot Noir wine depends from one region to another. Knowing this and learning the answer to “does Pinot Noir need to be chilled” also entails the discovery of different Pinot Noir flavors. These flavors of Pinot Noir generally come out when the wine is served at the right temperature.
- Berries
- Black cherry
- Earth
- Leather
- Mushroom
- Plum
- Smoke
- Tomato
You may also find Pinot Noir variants with velvety flavor, medium to full-bodied wines, and richness to softness texture. Moreover, this wine also has a little bit of acidity and an average amount of alcohol.
Does Pinot Noir Need to be Chilled – the Best Temperature to Serve It
Does Pinot Noir need to be chilled? What is the best temperature to serve this wine? As we said earlier, the temperature has a great impact on the flavor perception of wine including the Pinot Noir. Meaning, if you serve this wine at the appropriate temperature, you can generally enjoy the moment of sipping your drink.
Basically, the proper combination of serving and storing the Pinot Noir within the appropriate temperature is the key here. Doing this can help to keep all of the wine’s characteristics and provides a perfect blend of alcohol, fruit and acid. At the same time, it also reveals the subtle nuances of the flavors of the wine.
However, the temperature doesn’t affect these characteristics, but it can have an effect on the way your palate perceives them. In short, knowing if does Pinot Noir need to be chilled and the serving temperature really makes a difference.
Ideally, Pinot Noir must be served on a slightly cooler temperature. This definitely answers the question “does Pinot Noir need to be chilled”. Serving red wine at room temperature is actually a myth as the temperature is too warm. Bear in mind that lighter-bodied red wines like Pinot Noir are best served around the temperature of 55OF.
Moreover, using the same temperature, Pinot Noir should be stored in a wine refrigerator. Doing so may generally help the wine to lengthen its longevity. In case you store the Pinot Noir on room temperature, it is highly advisable to cool it on its appropriate temperature. Cool it on the refrigerator for two hours, in the freezer for 15 minutes, or in ice and water for 5 minutes.
FRIENDLY TIPS:
- Keep in mind not to overcool the Pinot Noir because you are subjecting the wine to lose its subtler features.
- Traditional wine glasses include stems primarily because it helps in maintaining the right temperature of the wine while you drink. Holding the wineglass on the bowl may warm up the wine temperature as your hand may cover it.
- In case you are using stemless glasses, don’t let the wine stay in your hand by holding it for a long time. Rather, just pick it up the moment you need to take a sip.
- Since Champagne and blanc de noirs also have Pinot Noir, it is best to serve them on temperature between 43 to 48OF. Also, you need to hold the Champagne glasses on the stem.
Does Pinot Noir Need to be Chilled –Serving It
Pinot Noir has very delicate flavors which necessitate you to drink it the moment you open the bottle. Moreover, with Pinot Noir, you don’t need to aerate the wine because doing so may damage the flavors. Just simply pour the Pinot Noir wine from the bottle rather than to decant it. Basically, serve this wine using a traditional Burgundy wineglass so that you can breathe in the aroma of the wine while drinking.
Aside from that, you need to drink the wine from an already opened bottle within just a day. Ensure that you tightly recork a bottle having the leftover wine. To perfectly enjoy the Pinot Noir, pair it with dark meat, lamb, salmon or mushroom.
Pinot Noir Storage
Now that we know the answer on the question “does Pinot Noir need to be chilled”, it is also important to learn the proper way of storing the wine as it can also affect the wine flavor profile. The ideal storage of Pinot Noir and other wines is on an environment where temperature and humidity are controlled. Pinot Noir wine storage should be away from light and vibration.
Usually, storing wine in a too-warm environment, about 65OF and above, for a long time period may prematurely age the wine. Or, it may also lead to the breakdown of wine flavors. Meanwhile, storing the wine on a tool cool area may also be damaging on the wine. Generally, the ideal temperature for red wine storage including the Pinot Noir is around 50 to 55OF.
Final Thoughts
Does Pinot Noir need to be chilled? Actually, yes! Pinot Noir is one of the types red wines that best served when chilled. Generally, the perfect blend of serving and storing the Pinot Noir wine at the right temperature is the key to perfectly enjoy the wine. Pinot Noir is a very unique and one-of-a-kind wine that has great-tasting flavors. This will generally benefit from appropriate wine serving temperatures.
