The temperature at which champagnes and sparkling wines are stored differs from the temperature at which they are served. Unlike red wines, champagne is more sensitive to temperature, light, and UV rays. As a result, it's best to store them in a dark green, light-resistant glass. The temperature for storing champagne should be between 40°F and 60°F and placed either upright or horizontally.
If you’re a wine enthusiast, we are pretty sure you know how to store your beloved beverage, using wine coolers. But do you know the right temperature they must be served?
Champagne is a luxurious beverage that is both refreshing and stimulating. However, drinking it ice cold may prevent you from really appreciating its full potential. It will lose its smooth, full-bodied properties if it is served too cold. On top of that, the aromas will not evaporate, leaving you with a drink that is bland and potentially bitter on the palate.
On the other side, when champagne is served too warm, it produces an excessive amount of foam and is alcohol-heavy in flavor. As a result, it becomes a hefty, alcoholic, and overly sweet wine.
In this guide, you will learn the ideal temperature to serve champagne as well as a few tips for making it even better.
Best Temperature for Serving Champagne
Before opening a bottle of champagne, it should be chilled (but not frozen). It's important to keep in mind that not all champagnes should be served at the same temperature. This is due to the fact that there are several types of champagnes, including non-vintage and mature vintage blends.
Champagnes have diverse qualities and degrees of complexity depending on their quality. They should be served at different temperatures to enhance flavor and aroma.
For Non-Vintage
- Ideal Temperature Range: 46.4°F – 50°F (8 – 10°C)
- Fridge Cooling Time: 4 hours approx
- Freezer Cooling Time: 15 minutes
- Ice Bucket Cooling Time: 20 minutes
Serving your champagne slightly cooled between 46.4°F to 50°F will bring out the natural properties of fine non-vintage champagne. This can be achieved by either chilling it in a standard refrigerator for about 4 hours, or in a freezer for about 15 minutes before serving. If you are short on time, 20 minutes in a champagne bucket filled with a mixture of ice and water should be enough.
For Vintage & Special Cuvée
- Ideal Temperature Range: 50°F – 53.6°F (10 – 12°C)
- Fridge Cooling Time: 3 hours approx
- Freezer Cooling Time: 10 minutes
- Ice Bucket Cooling Time: 15 minutes
Champagnes that are exceptional or vintage should be served somewhat warmer. If you drink decent champagne between 50°F to 53.6°F, you'll be able to smell and taste its diverse aromas and flavors. Vintage blends have delicate qualities, and if served too cold, they can jolt your taste senses rather than absorb them into the palate.
To get the optimal taste, you can either cool it in a standard refrigerator for about 3 hours, or in a freezer for about 10 minutes before serving. Alternatively, placing the bottle in a champagne bucket filled with a mixture of ice and water for 15 minutes would suffice.
Champagne Served Chilled Using an Ice Bucket
Do chill champagne, but never put ice in it. However, a bottle of champagne can be placed in an ice bucket. In fact, the most popular method for chilling champagne is to lay the unopened bottle in an ice bucket that has been filled halfway with half ice and half water. One of the advantages of using an ice bucket is that it progressively chills the champagne to the right temperature and then holds it there.
Wine Cooler for Champagne Bottles
Getting a wine cooler or wine cellar cooling unit that can satisfy your needs for your wines. A wine cooler's temperature never drops below 46°F, it has temperature control, stainless steel construction, glass door, and can store different types of wines - the simplest solution to your temperature challenges.
You don't have to be a collector or even an aficionado to buy a wine cooler. If you're just getting started with trying new champagnes and wines or expanding your palate, this is an excellent investment. It will preserve the freshness of your wines and let you enjoy them at their best.
There are plenty of wine coolers available in the market, each with its own bottle capacity, size, and style. Whether you have a small or large area, prefer a single-zone, dual-zone, or multiple-zone, want a freestanding or built-in type, or have a limited or broad wine collection, you can find them all HERE!
Here are some of the best Wine Cooler Brands:
Other Tips for Cooling Champagne
Take into account the quality of the champagne you're tasting so you can estimate the final temperature. To check if the bottle is chilled, just touch and feel the neck and the body. That’s when you know when the champagne is ready. However, it may take a bit some time for the cold to disperse adequately if the body is cooler.
One interesting way to conduct a taste test on any champagne is to serve it in the coldest temperature range possible. Then, allow it to warm up slightly by the room temperature as you taste over intervals. You'll be able to observe for yourself how its character and flavor vary as the temperature changes.
Wines of lower grade are typically served at cooler temperatures. This is particularly useful for hiding defects or concealing lackluster delicacy. Superior wines with exceptionally complex structures, on the other hand, are better served slightly warmer.
Never store a bottle of champagne in the freezer because it will kill the bubbles and causes the wine to lose its aromas and flavors.
If you’re looking for the best temperature for serving wine, check out our here: Ideal Temperature for Serving Wine
Whether you’re hosting a party full of guests or you just simply want to treat yourself, a glass of champagne is one of the best ways to indulge into especially when it tastes so fine.
You will notice a big difference when you master the champagne serving temperature with even a low-cost sparkling wine. Making sure champagne is served properly not only enhances the flavor but also adds to the overall experience and helps to create a luxurious ambiance.