In the broad popular category of red wines, there are many distinct and outstanding varieties. This article will focus on one particular variety: Cabernet Sauvignon. There is a lot of conversation surrounding this wine, especially when discussing the best storage and serving practices. We’ll explore all the basics of Cabernet Sauvignon, including how to best to serve Cabernet Sauvignon and how to chill it to the proper temperature.
The ideal environment for storing Cabernet Sauvignon and other red wines maintains a consistent humidity and has a temperature of 45-65 degrees (55 degrees is optimal).
What Foods Pair Well With Cabernet Sauvignon?
If you want to pair Cabernet with a meal or food item, you’ll want to consider the age of your wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine that improves with age. If you serve a filling and hearty meal, choose a younger Cabernet. Older Cabernets will pair better with smaller dishes with softer textures due to the wine’s bold and often overpowering flavor profile.
Here are some of the more popular food pairings for this wine:
- Cheese, such as cheddar or brie
- Red meat, such as steak or burgers
- Pasta with a cream sauce like potato gnocchi
- Dark chocolate
Cabernet Sauvignon is also a good choice as a cooking wine for hearty dishes like braises or intense sauces.
How to Maintain the Temperature
It may not seem necessary to explain how to drink your wine, but it is necessary if you want to maintain the flavor through temperature control. Once you’ve served your Cabernet Sauvignon at the right temperature, it will start to warm with the ambient heat in the room. Even this subtle change in temperature can affect the flavors and experience. To ensure your wine warms to room temperature as slowly as possible, hold the wine glass by the stem. Your hands will warm the wine quicker when you hold the glass by the bowl. This is a major reason why many wine experts recommend not using stemless wine glasses. Double-walled insulated wine glasses offer another way to slow the warming and protect your wine from the heat of your hands.
Wine Storage – Importance of Temperature
FAQ
Should Cabernet Sauvignon be refrigerated?
What temperature should Cabernet wine be stored at?
Is 50 degrees too cold to store red wine?
What temperature should red wine be stored at?
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Type Of Wine
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Storage Temperature (℉)
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Red
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55-65
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Full-Bodied Reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Bordeaux, Port, etc.)
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60-65
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Light and Medium Reds (Pinot Noir, Merlot, Lambrusco, Sherry, etc.)
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55-60
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Rosé (White Zinfandel, Syrah Rosé, Pinot Nero Rosé, Grenache Rosé, etc.)
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50-55
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What temperature should Cabernet Sauvignon wine be stored?
The ideal temperature for storing cabernet sauvignon wine is 52°F (11°C), which is slightly chilled, although the wine will fare well in temperatures between 40-65°F (5-18°C) provided there are no fluctuations in temperature. A wine refrigerator provides a good storage option for aging wines at the right temperature.
How do you store Cabernet Sauvignon wine?
Let’s look at some crucial factors you should take into consideration: When stored within a specific temperature range, Cabernet Sauvignon wine thrives. What’s recommended is to keep the wine at a temperature around 60°F (15°C), preferably in a special wine fridge where you can set the desired temperature.
How do you keep Cabernet Sauvignon a good wine?
Maintaining the ideal storage and serving temperature is essential for keeping Cabernet Sauvignon’s elegance and nuances intact. Let’s look at some crucial factors you should take into consideration: When stored within a specific temperature range, Cabernet Sauvignon wine thrives.
Should Cabernet Sauvignon be refrigerated before serving?
So, the basics are if you store the wine at room temperature, then you should chill cabernet sauvignon it prior to serving, but if it’s coming from storage temp, you’ll want to let it warm up slightly. Finding that sweet spot will allow all the aromas and nuances in flavor to come through.