Tools Are Cool
Here's what you'll need:
Bottle or box of wine
Refrigerator
Freezer
Ice bucket or tub
Ice
Water
Corkscrew
Instant read thermometer
Rachel Been
The Fridge Is Your Friend
This cooling method takes the longest, but allows a host to set and forget. Ray advises placing bubbly and white bottles and boxes on a shelf in the refrigerator two to five hours before you'll be serving them. Reds -- yes, even reds -- can chill for 20-45 minutes, until they're a little colder than room temperature.
Rachel Been
Trust the Deep Freeze
Mindfulness is a must when you're popping bottles in the freezer. It's highly efficient, but Ray suggests setting a timer for 40 minutes for sparkling and white wine or 15 minutes for reds, lest you run the risk of cracking glass and losing all that well-chilled vino.
Rachel Been
Ice, Ice, Baby!
Run short of time or fridge space? Fear not, says Ray. Just fill an ice bucket, a tub or even a sink with cold water and plenty of ice and immerse your bottles or Tetra Paks for an ultra-quick cool-down.
Rachel Been
Take It for a Spin
For an accelerated chill, Ray recommends rotating bottles in the ice bath. This circulates the wine through the bottle, allowing it more contact with the icy water.
Rachel Been
How Low Do You Go?
Uncork or uncap the bottle, and take a reading with an instant thermometer. Ray likes the Polder brand, but any kind will do. If the wine is not sufficiently chilled, re-seal the bottle and put it back in the fridge, freezer or ice bath until the temp drops.
Rachel Been
Time and Temperature
Sparkling Wine
Serving Temperature: 45 degrees F
Refrigerator: 5 hours
Freezer: 40 minutes
Ice Bath: 25 minutes
Red Wine
Serving Temperature: 65 degrees F
Refrigerator: 45 minutes
Freezer: 15 minutes
Ice Bath: 10 minutes
Rachel Been
Time and Temperature
Crisp White Wine
Serving Temperature: 50 degrees F
Refrigerator: 3.5 hours
Freezer: 30 minutes
Ice Bath: 20 minutes
Rich White Wine
Serving Temperature: 55 degrees F
Refrigerator: 2 hours
Freezer: 25 minutes
Ice Bath: 15 minutes
Rachel Been
Additional Serving Temperatures
Sparkling Red: 55 degrees F
Rose: 55 to 60 degrees F
Dessert Wine: 55 to 60 degrees F
Rachel Been
Know How to Hold It
Ray notes that body heat can easily transfer through the glass to the liquid. Prolong the pleasure of your chilling efforts by holding the glass by its stem, away from the wine.
Rachel Been
