Wine Cellar Appliance Questions
How do wine cellars protect my wines?
Does the glass door on Viking Wine Cellars offer protection against UV rays?
The standard glass used in wine cellars offers a 70% UV protections and the fluted glass offers 63%. The glass is the same type used in finer home window applications.
What temperatures are best for serving wine?
The temperature at which a wine is served has a significant effect on its taste. The appropriate temperature allows a good wine to express its depth and complexity of aromas. In general, red wines served at temperatures above 68 degrees will taste monolithic and have a warm, alcoholic aftertaste. They lose their balance and liveliness. White wines are often served too cold, suppressing the flavors and richness of the wines.
Since it is seldom possible to monitor or control a wine's temperature during a meal, we suggest serving it at a temperature somewhat cooler than its recommended range, allowing it to warm up and develop in the glass.
Wine | Suggested Temperature |
Beaujolais | 54-59¿ F |
Bordeaux - Red | 62-67¿ F |
Bordeaux - White | 50-54¿ F |
Cabernet Sauvignon | 62-67¿ F |
Champagne | 40-44¿ F |
Chardonnay | 45-50¿ F |
Chenin Blanc | 43-48¿ F |
Chianti | 58-63¿ F |
Dessert Wines | 45-50¿ F |
Gewurztraminer | 45-50¿ F |
Merlot | 58-63¿ F |
Pinot Gris | 45-50¿ F |
Pinot Noir | 58-63¿ F |
Rioja | 59-68¿ F |
Port - Tawny | 50-55¿ F |
Port - Vintage | 62-67¿ F |
Rose | 40-44¿ F |
Sauvignon Blanc | 50-54¿ F |
Sparkling Wines | 45-50¿ F |
Sparkling Wines - Inexpensive | 40-44¿ F |
Syrah | 59-68¿ F |
Zinfandel Red | 62-67¿ F |
Why are wine bottles stored horizontally?
What are the proper temperature and humidity settings for storage wine?
What type of wine should be cellared?
How long should wine be cellared?
The evolution of a wine is fascinating and complex. Generalization regarding the time needed for a particular wine varietal to reach its peak of development are just that - a general guideline. Within a varietal, the vintage and the vintner's individual style of making the wine, along with other factors, will have a substantial influence on the ability of a particular wine to age well. Some of the better wine critics will include in wine's review a "drinking window", or range of years during which they predict the wine will be at its best. We recommend that you subscribe to one of these experts' newsletters to help you in a selecting wines to buy and in determining how long to age them.
Typically, dry white wines don't benefit much, if any, from aging (very find Burgundy, Riesling, and Champagne are prominent exceptions). Nevertheless, it is wise to store them in a cellar to protect them from heat and light damage. Red wines are a different story. A fine, well-balanced red wine from a good vintage will usually improve with some age. Most very fine Cabernet Sauvignons, Bordeaux, Syrahs, Burgundys, Barolos, and Riogjas are made with the expectation that they will be allowed to age in order to reach their full potential.
Set forth here is a table of very general guidelines for the aging of several red wines by varietal or region. Again, for an outstanding bottle of wine, it is worth doing a little research.
Wine | Aging Guidelines |
Barolo | 5-15 years |
Bordeaux | 5-15 years (some much longer) |
Burgundy | 2-10 years |
Cabernet Sauvignon | 3-10 years |
Chianti | 0-5 years |
Merlot | 0-5 years |
Pinot Noir (other than Burgundy) | 1-6 years |
Port - Vintage | 10-30 years |
Rioja | 3-10 years |
Syrah | 5-10 years |
Zinfandel Red | 1-5 years |
Do storage levels in the Viking Wine Cellar affect the temperature?
Is it okay to store champagne in the refrigerator?
How many bottles of wine can be stored in Viking Undercounter Wine Cellars?
How does high altitude affect the Viking Wine Cellar?
Extensive tests have shown that high altitudes have no effect on the wine cellar.