Should Pinot Noir Be Chilled? Serving and Storage Temperature Guide.
If you are a wine lover, you are probably aware that you should chill white wine before drinking it, and red wine should be served at room temperature. But is that the proper way? Do you chill Pinot Noir before drinking it?
Let’s dive into the matter and explain in detail when is the best time to drink Pinot Noir:
Table of Contents
Should Pinot Noir Be Chilled?
Yes, it is recommended to refrigerate Pinot Noir wine before serving. Pinot Noir is a very fruit-forward and complex red wine, and it’s widely recommended to refrigerate it before opening in order to enhance its flavors and aromas.
To ensure the best Pinot Noir experience, store the bottle in a wine refrigerator before serving. This simple step lets you set the ideal temperature for the wine, enhancing its flavors and aromas.
Pinot Noir Serving Temperature
The ideal serving temperature for Pinot Noir wine is between 55-60 Fahrenheit (13-15 Celsius). This is slightly cooler than most of the other red wines, but the main reason behind it is the fact that Pinot Noir is a very elegant and fruity red wine, and its acidity is slightly higher than other reds.
History of Serving Wine
Wine has been produced as early as 5000 B.C. in what is nowadays Iran in Asia. But let’s not go so far back in history and instead take a look at the period between the 5th and the 19th century when wine was one of the most traded goods in Europe, and Pinot Noir from Burgundy, amongst the most popular red wines.
The room temperature at most of the homes in Medieval France and Italy was never more than 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit (10-12 Celsius), so that was the temperature Pinot Noir and other red wines were served, and according to many writings drinking the wine at this temperature was quite enjoyable. (1)
The average room temperature today is no less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius), so serving Pinot Noir at room temperature might not be the first option if you want to enjoy it at its best.
How to Achieve the Proper Temperature to Serve Pinot Noir?
The easiest way is to store Pinot Noir in a wine cooler, where you can adapt the temperature to be the exact one needed for the wine. But if you do not have one, storing Pinot Noir in your basement or pantry would also be fine.
Or, if you are really out of time and supposed to be already popping the bottle, just place it in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes (not more), and you will reach the perfect temperature to serve Pinot Noir. (2)
Serving Guides for White, Sparkling Pinot Noir, and Rosé Pinot Noir
Besides its red version, Pinot Noir comes in white, sparkling, and rosé forms. Along with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, the Pinot Noir grape is one of the three big grapes that go in Champagne wines.
Some of the greatest rosé wines in the world are made from Pinot Noir grapes, with delicate red fruit aromas and crispy refreshing acidity.
These three should definitely be served chilled, even slightly cooler:
Sparkling Pinot Noir should be served between 45 and 50 Fahrenheit (7 and 10 celsius)
- White Pinot Noir is best served between 50 and 55 Fahrenheit (10 and 13 celsius)
- Just as White Pinot, serve Pinot Noir rosé wine between 50 and 55 Fahrenheit (10 and 13 celsius)
How Long Does Pinot Noir Last. Should You Age it?
Some wines get better with age, while others completely lose their essence and flavors over the years.
For example, aging red wines with high tannins and acidity is a must, and the opposite applies to the lightest red wines.(1)
How long to age Pinot Noir?
Our recommendation for aging Pinot Noir is 10 years at most. The reason for it is that Pinot Noir is a very fragile red wine with a low tannin content, and storing it for a long time might not benefit the taste of the wine, and instead do the opposite.
Although there are Burgundy Pinot Noirs that can be 10, 15 + years old, the procedure of storing those bottles is under strict surveillance and constant temperature and humidity control.
How to Store Pinot Noir
The ideal temperature for storing Pinot Noir is between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably in a dark place.
Placing the bottle in a horizontal position keeps the cork moisturized and prevents the wine from oxidizing.
How long is Pinot Noir good for after opening?
An opened bottle of Pinot Noir can last anywhere between 3 to 5 days, while heavier reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Nebbiolo will stay good for more than a week.
So, if you cannot finish your wine in one sitting, you can safely put the cork back in place, or even better, use a wine stopper.(2)
Recommended: Learn about our Pinot Noir food pairing ideas.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, if you refrigerate Pinot Noir wine is a matter of personal preference, but it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 45-60°F, depending on the type of wine – white, red, sparkling, or rosé. Chilling Pinot Noir can open up its fruit flavors, making it more refreshing and enjoyable.
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