I recently purchases a wine refridgerator with dual temperature controls. What is the right temperature setting for Red wines (mostly cabernets) and for white wines ( mostly savignon blanc and chardonney)?
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
Not knowing the model you purchased, I'm not sure how much of a range is allowed, but all models focus on the 50s F, the generally accepted "cellaring" temperature. Normally,the temperature settings in dual units tend to overlap. The right setting is dictated less by exact science than by conventional practice and your own purposes. The theory behind these dual zone units is that one section is for long-term aging while the other is for storing whites - as well as roses and sparkling wines - at the right drinking temperature. My suggestion would be to set the "aging" section at from the low- to mid-50s F; the lower the setting, the slower the evolution of the wines. (I use cabinets at home, and I like to keep them at 51 F to 52 F to protect old vintages I have been cellaring for many years.) For the "chilling" section, you might keep the setting in the mid- to high 40s F for whites and sparklers you drink fairly rapidly, while moving "keepers" to the other part of the cabinet. The temperature will also depend upon how cold you like your whites to be when they are first opened.
