Can you rechill?

[White Wine Lover]

I love this board! I just joined yesterday and am really enjoying it.

My questions regarding rechilling:
Is it OK to chill wine, then take it out of the refrigerator if you don't open it, return it to your wine rack, and then rechill it at a later date? If so, does this affect the taste and/or quality of the wine? And is this OK with some types of wine but not others?

Thanks,
Donna

[hotwine]

Glad you're enjoying it. We have fun, and that's what this hobby (passion) is all about.

We only chill white wines. And I don't know of one that would be harmed by moving it from the fridge back into storage, and back again into the fridge. I might hesitate to do that with an old and delicate Sauternes, but even with those, I doubt that any harm would result.

[Innkeeper]

Cooking is a much bigger problem than chilling, over chilling, or rechilling. Any wine that is stored at 75 degrees F or higher for any appreciable length of time will suffer big time.

[White Wine Lover]

Thanks for the advice! Do you think it's OK to rechill champagne, too?

Donna

[wineguruchgo]

I just have to ask why you wouldn't just keep it in the fridge? That's what I do. Please remember that all open wine only has a few days before it changes. If you are thinking of chilling it, having a glass, returning it to rack for a few weeks, then re-chilling and drinking I would advise against it.

[White Wine Lover]

Oh no! I meant unopened wine. And I am limited in space in my refrigerator, so sometimes if I'm going to serve champagne, I put too many bottles in to chill (better too much than not enough) and after the party I need the room in my refrigerator, so I like to just put the unopened bottles back in the rack.

Thanks for your advice!
Donna

[Innkeeper]

The low humidity in the fridge can become a problem with prolonged storage. It shrinks the cork.

[ASTAMANT]

Which red wines can be chilled? My wife only likes chilled wines, and I would like to try some reds?

[Innkeeper]

Hi Astamant, and welcome to the Wine Board. Try Beaujolais. The Nouveau ('03 available now) and the '01 and '02 plain ole Beaujolais and the less expensive Beaujolais Villages (the more expensive ones tend to be heavier wines) take a chilling just fine.

[ASTAMANT]

thanks...