How cold should you serve Champagne and other sparkling wines?

Many years ago when I was trying to be hip and cool, I read many women's magazines. The articles would cover not only fashion and style, but how women were supposed to act to be considered sophisticated. One piece of advice was to keep a bottle of Champagne in the refrigerator. It would always be handy for special occasions or visitors.

Wrong! Champagne and sparkling wine should not be kept in the refrigerator for more than a few days. The temperature is too cold and will flatten the flavors of the wine. Remember, your refrigerator has a motor that is constantly humming and vibrating. Those vibrations are not good for wine. The constant opening and closing of the refrigerator door is not helpful.

If you purchase a wine cave (wine refrigerator) you can keep your wine in a controlled environment. There are many styles and price ranges that you can invest in. Some hold as few as 24 bottles, others as many as 2,800. You will want to keep the temperature about 55F.

If you keep your Champagne in a wine cave, the chilling process is much easier than if it is kept on a shelf. The controlled environment will help ensure your wine stays healthy until it is ready to drink.

Champagne is best drunk when it is chilled to 43-48F. (Another reason to avoid the kitchen refrigerator--it is too cold.) Place the bottle it in a bucket filled with a mixture of ice and water. This will cool the wine faster than just ice. If you left it too late, add a cup of salt to the ice and water. This will reduce the temperature to below zero and speed chilling.

Bella Wine Recommends

Danby 35 Bottle Wine Refrigerator
An excellent size for most wine drinkers. It is a narrow 18", which will allow you to tuck it into a closet or corner of a room.