When it comes to drinking red wine, #WineTok has been up in arms on whether red wine should be chilled or not. But wait—should you chill it first? If you’re like me, you’ve probably been told that red wine should always be served at room temperature. Well, I’m here to tell you that this age-old advice might need some updating.

Here’s the thing: when people first started saying, “serve red wine at room temperature,” they were talking about the cool cellars of old European castles, not our modern living rooms. These days, room temperature is often too warm for red wine, making it taste a bit flat and overly alcoholic. Trust me, I learned this the hard way after serving a beautiful Merlot at a dinner party that fell flat because it was just too warm.

But don’t worry, I’ve done the research (and tasting) for you. Keep reading on to find out more.

Related: Red Wine is a Classic Staple — And These Are the Best Ones to Try

@avaline

It it okay to chill my red wine? Our favorite sommelier is here to break down all the juicy details. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Some prefer to slightly chill down their Pinot Noir and we love that. Light to medium bodied reds are totally fine to chill but medium to full bodied reds should not be chilled down because it could loose some of it’s aromas and texture. Whatever you do, DON’T store your wine in direct sunlight. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What questions should Natalie answer next? #pinotnoir #winetok #wine #wineknowlegde #winefacts #chillingredwine🍷 #chilledredwine

♬ original sound – Avaline

Should You Chill Red Wine?

The long but short answer is yes. But it does have a science to it.

We tapped expert and Senior Associate Winemaker Jonathan Tyer of wine brand Inglenook for advice. “I like to serve my wine at cellar temperature, about 60°F,” he says. “If you don’t have a cellar, the best option is to put it in the fridge for 30 minutes prior to serving.”

For those who prefer light reds like Pinot Noir, we advise keeping it chilled to 55-60°F, while fuller-bodied wines like Cabernet Sauvignon are happiest around 65°F.

Final Verdict:

Experts agree that fuller wines can be chilled on hot summer days or served at room temperature for a full body. Sweeter wines are best chilled thoroughly. However, the Home & Texture team encourages you to trust your own wine preferences.

Related: How to Pair Wine Like a Pro This Thanksgiving