Guide · Serving well
The glass, the temperature, the move that changes everything — for each style of wine.
Just one rule to remember: the lighter a wine, the cooler you serve it. Bubbles at the coldest, full-bodied reds at room temperature — and everything else in between.
Aim 1-2° colder
Wine warms up as soon as it hits the glass. Serve it a touch colder than the target: it will be perfect at the first sip.
The express bucket
Need to chill fast? A bucket of cold water + ice cubes + a handful of coarse salt: 15 to 20 minutes is enough.
No absolute rule
These benchmarks show each wine at its best — but the best serving is still the one you enjoy.
Chasselas / Fendant · Petite Arvine · Johannisberg
Temperature
8-10°
Chilled
Glass
Narrow glass
Decanting
Not needed
At the meal
Aperitif / starter
Well chilled, served at the last moment — that's when it's at its liveliest.
No thermometer? 2 h in the fridge, serve straight away.
Chardonnay · Pinot Gris · Heida / Païen · Amigne
Temperature
11-13°
Chilled
Glass
Wider glass
Decanting
Not needed
At the meal
Starter / fish course
Chilled but not ice-cold: too cold, it loses its fruit.
No thermometer? 2 h in the fridge, take it out 10 min before serving.
Gamay · Pinot Noir · Dôle · Gamaret jeune
Temperature
13-15°
Lightly chilled
Glass
Medium glass
Decanting
Optional
At the meal
Light dish / poultry
15 min in the fridge before serving: a light red loves a bit of chill.
No thermometer? 20 min in the fridge just before serving.
Cornalin · Humagne Rouge · Syrah · Merlot (Tessin)
Temperature
16-18°
Room temperature (no warmer)
Glass
Large balloon glass
Decanting
Yes, ~1 h (up to 2 h if very young)
At the meal
Main course / meat
Open it ~1 h ahead (or decant it): it opens up and softens.
No thermometer? Nothing to do — open it 1 h ahead, that's all.
Œil-de-Perdrix · Rosés · Mousseux
Temperature
6-10°
Very cold (sparkling 6-8°, rosé 8-10°)
Glass
Flute (sparkling) / tulip glass (rosé)
Decanting
Not needed
At the meal
Aperitif / the whole meal
Well chilled — sparkling at its coldest, rosé barely less.
No thermometer? 3 h in the fridge minimum, serve straight away.
Flétris · Vendanges tardives · Malvoisie flétrie
Temperature
8-10°
Chilled
Glass
Small glass
Decanting
Not needed
At the meal
Dessert / blue cheese
Served chilled, with a dessert or a blue-veined cheese.
No thermometer? 2-3 h in the fridge, serve straight away.
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