chilled wines

[soulfood]

Are Merlot and Cabernet supposed to be served chilled?

[Innkeeper]

Hi Soulfood, and welcome to the Wine Board. Both cabernet and merlot should be served at 65 degrees F. If they are stored in an area that is 75 degrees, the answer to your question is yes. It is best to chill any wine that needs it in a ice bucket, which can be picked up very reasonably at at restaurant supply house. Fill the bucket up almost all the way with ice, and then cover the ice with water. You can chill a bottle of wine one degree per minute in it. It takes 10 minutes per degree in the refrigerator.

[chittychattykathy]

& if you add a little (teaspoon) salt to the ice water, it will work even faster.