7
KitchenAid uses all its know-how to bring together the 6 criteria essential to wine maturing:
Temperature:
The two worst enemies of wine are extreme temperatures and wildly fluctuating temperatures. A
constant temperature of 10 to 14°C (50 to 57°F) is considered ideal for wine to reach its peak.
Humidity:
This is an essential factor, enabling the corks to retain their sealing characteristics. The humidity level
should, ideally, be higher than 50% (between 60 and 75%).
Darkness:
Light, and more especially its ultra-violet content, has a rapid and harmful effect on wine through the
irreversible oxidation of the tannins. For this reason it is strongly recommended that you store your wine
in the dark and away from U.V. rays.
Lack of vibration:
Vibration disturbs the slow process of biochemical evolution in wine and is often fatal to the finer ‘crus’.
Storage:
Moving your wine bottles around too often is detrimental to correct wine preservation. Having
appropriate storage that cuts down on handling is essential.
Natural ventilation:
A constant supply of filtered air from the outside is indispensable if unpleasant smells and mould
development are to be avoided.
Introduction to wine
STANDARD WINE SERVICE TEMPERATURES
French wines Brunello 17° C
Alsace 10°C / 50°F White Trentino wines 11° C
Beaujolais 13°C White Franciacorta wines 11° C
Sweet white Bordeaux 6°C Dry white wines 8° C
Dry white Bordeaux 8°C Friuli wines 11° C
Bordeaux reds 17°C Light Red wines, without much tannin 14° C
White Burgundy 11°C
Quite full-bodied Red wines, with some tannin 16° C
Burgundy reds 18°C
Champagne 6°C Australian wines
Jura 10°C Cabernet franc 16°C
Languedoc-Roussillon 13°C Cabernet sauvignon 17°C
Provence Rosé 12°C Chardonnay 10°C
Savoie 9°C Merlot 17°C
Dry white Loire wines 10°C Muscat à petit grain 6°C
Sweet white Loire wines 7°C Pinot noir 15°C
Loire reds 14°C Sauvignon blanc 8°C
Rhône wines 15°C Semillon 8°C
Sweet wines from the South-West 7°C Shiraz 18°C
Reds from the South-West 15°C Verdhelo 7°C
Italian wines Other wines
Barolo 17°C Californian 16°C
Barbaresco 17°C Chile 15°C
Chianti Classico 16° C Spanish 17°C
Passito di Pantelleria 6° C
Dry and Sweet Spumanti 6° C
Verdicchio 8° C
The table gives the indicative temperatures at which the wine should be served.
If the wine must be served at a higher temperature than that set inside the cellar, it should be left out for
as long as is necessary.
Table of the best serving temperatures for wines