Wine Storage Temperature: What Is Ideal for Red and White

The ideal wine storage temperature is about 55°F (13°C) for red, white, rosé and sparkling wine alike, and holding that temperature steady matters more than hitting the number exactly. Wine Spectator calls 55°F close to perfect, and Wine Enthusiast gives 55 to 60°F as the goal for both reds and whites.

This guide covers the storage temperature range, how much drift is safe, and what humidity and light add. Serving temperature is a different question, covered in the serving temperature guide.

What is the ideal wine storage temperature?

What temperature should red wine be stored at?

Store red wine at about 55°F (13°C). Wine Spectator says 55°F is accepted as close to perfect and that a climate of 45 to 65°F is workable, and Wine Enthusiast gives 55 to 60°F as the goal.

What temperature should white wine be stored at?

Store white wine at the same temperature as red, about 55°F (13°C), and chill it before serving. Storage and serving temperatures differ, so a cellar set for long term storage will not be cold enough to serve a white straight from the rack.

Is room temperature fine for storing wine?

Not for long term storage in most homes. Wine Spectator says prolonged temperatures above 70°F may damage a wine's freshness and subtleties, and many living spaces run warmer than a cellar.

How much does temperature fluctuation matter?

Is a steady temperature more important than the exact number?

Yes. Wine Spectator says avoiding rapid, extreme or frequent temperature swings matters more than reaching a perfect 55°F, and that minor fluctuations are nothing to panic about. Wine Enthusiast makes the same point: a gradual change is much easier on wine than a 55°F day followed by a 75°F day.

What temperatures can damage wine?

Sustained heat above 70°F is the main risk, according to Wine Spectator, and temperatures below 45°F may freeze the wine and push the cork out. For heat risks in summer, see what collectors should check in summer.

What do humidity, light and vibration add?

What humidity should a wine cellar have?

Aim for about 70 percent humidity if you store wine long term. Wine Enthusiast says cork needs some humidity to hold its seal, and that low, drying humidity is a reason refrigerators are not ideal for long storage. Too much moisture brings mold and label damage; see cellar mold and humidity problems.

How much does light matter?

Light matters most for white wine in clear glass. A 2023 study in OENO One by Laposa and colleagues measured light inside wine bottles and calculated that white wine in clear or bluish-green bottles can survive only a few days on an illuminated shelf, while light amber bottles protect it for about a month and dark amber bottles for more than a year. Store bottles in the dark, and for lighting choices see wine cellar lighting.

Does vibration matter?

The long term effects are unsettled, but abrupt disturbance is a known problem. Wine Enthusiast notes that the long term effect of vibration is not settled and advises against abrupt variation, such as opening a refrigerator door daily to reach Champagne.

Can you store wine in a regular refrigerator?

Only for the short term. Wine Enthusiast says refrigerators run cold and dry, which is why they are not ideal for long storage, because cork needs some humidity. For a long term home setup, see how to store wine without a wine cellar.

How do you keep your storage temperature steady?

Pick a cool, dark spot, set the temperature, and watch it so you see drift before the wine does.

Choose the location: Away from sunlight, heat sources and appliances that vibrate.

Set the temperature: About 55°F (13°C), and avoid seasonal swings where you can.

Monitor it: A logging thermometer or sensor shows the swings a single reading hides.

For sensors and monitors, see cellar temperature monitors compared, and for what to do when an alert fires, see the temperature and humidity monitoring playbook. On InVintory's Elite plan, you can connect Govee temperature and humidity sensors.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ideal temperature for storing red and white wine?

About 55°F (13°C) for both, according to Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. Chill whites before serving.

Do temperature fluctuations really matter?

Yes, but a steady temperature matters more than the exact number. Rapid, extreme or frequent swings are the problem, and minor drift is not.

How warm is too warm to store wine?

Sustained temperatures above 70°F are the main risk, according to Wine Spectator, since heat can damage freshness.

Can I use a kitchen refrigerator for long term storage?

No. It runs cold and dry, and cork needs some humidity. Use it for short term storage only.

Ready to track what is stored where? Get started with InVintory or see the Elite plan.

Sources

Wine Spectator, Cellaring Secrets.

Wine Spectator, So you bought some wine that you're not planning on drinking right away. Now what do you do with it?.

Wine Enthusiast, Wine Storage 101: Protecting Your Investment.

Laposa Z, Vesztergom S, Kocsis M, Keszei E. In situ measurement of light transmission into wine bottles and calculation of shelf life. OENO One, 2023, volume 57, issue 1. doi.org/10.20870/oeno-one.2023.57.1.7172.