Should Sangiovese Be Chilled? (Full Guide)

by Philip Thompson
13 July, 2023

Named after the Blood of Jupiter, red grapes don’t get more Italian than the delicious Sangiovese, also used to make coveted Chianti wines, too.

But whilst chilling red wines is becoming more and more common, can the same be said for Sangiovese?

What is the ideal serving temperature for Sangiovese?

Listen to this post here:

Should Sangiovese Be Chilled?

Yes, Sangiovese should be chilled. The best temperature to serve Sangiovese is a little below room temperature, aiming for around 59–65°F or 15-18°C.

Room temperatures have gotten warmer over time, so don’t be afraid to chill your Sangiovese a little to reach the right temperature.

Doing so will help to get the most out of your bottle, and allow the right balance of alcohol and aromas in your glass.

Sangiovese Type	Serving Temperature	Storage Temperature	Chilling Time
Sangiovese	59–65°F or 15-18°C	11°C to 15°C (51–59°F)	Up to 30 minutes
Chianti DOCG	59–65°F or 15-18°C	11°C to 15°C (51–59°F)	Up to 30 minutes
Montefalco Rosso	59–65°F or 15-18°C	11°C to 15°C (51–59°F)	Up to 30 minutes
Brunello di Montalcino	59–65°F or 15-18°C	11°C to 15°C (51–59°F)	Up to 30 minutes

Think of it like a fun, interactive Science lesson!

Here are some common styles of Sangiovese you may come across and the temperatures that they like to be served at.

Popular Styles of Sangiovese and Their Ideal Serving Temperature

Sangiovese

Chianti DOCG - A Tuscan red wine giving Bordeaux a run for its money, serve your Chianti just below room temperature (59–65°F or 15-18°C)

Montefalco Rosso - 70% of these wines are Sangiovese and as a result they are soft, smooth and oozing with aromas of black cherry and perfumed violets, serve below room temp (59–65°F or 15-18°C)

Brunello di Montalcino - Bold, complex and intense, this isn’t a wine for the faint-hearted. Serve at around room temperature to get it at its best (59–65°F or 15-18°C)

So if that’s the temperature Sangiovese likes to be served, how cold should you store Sangiovese?

What is the Best Storage Temperature for Sangiovese?

The best temperature to store Sangiovese is between 11°C and 15℃ (51–59°F).

Think cellar conditions here, and try to store your Sangiovese as you would any other prized bottles of wine.

Aim for a good level of humidity, avoid direct sunlight where you can and keep your Sangiovese free from any unnecessary disturbances.

If you don’t have a wine cellar, your garage, kitchen pantry or even under your bed can be a good alternative to store your wine.

But can Sangiovese go in the fridge?

Should You Put Sangiovese In The Fridge?

Wine Fridge

Yes! If your Sangiovese isn’t cold enough for your liking then you can absolutely place the bottle in the fridge to chill it down a little.

Most houses are now a little warmer than the recommended serving temperatures for red wine, so a little bit of fridge time may do your Sangiovese a world of good.

So how long should you put Sangiovese in the fridge?

How Long Should You Chill Sangiovese For?

Sangiovese Chilling Time

If you have a specialist wine fridge the conditions will have been designed to look after your wine.

With red wine this means that you can set the fridge to your required temperature and won’t have to worry about your Sangiovese becoming too cold.

However, if you have a domestic refrigerator they run much colder so your Sangiovese won’t need to go in there for long.

Try placing your bottle in the fridge up to 30 minutes before you want to drink it.

And remember if it gets too cold it can always warm up on the side until it's ready to drink.

Here are some of our top tips on serving Sangiovese:

5 Tips on Serving Sangiovese

Sangiovese like to be served a little under room temperature at around 59–65°F or 15-18°C.

Most households run much warmer than this so don’t be afraid to place your Sangiovese in the fridge to chill it down a little.

Wine coolers can help ensure your Sangiovese doesn’t go any colder than you want it to.

Serve your Sangiovese in large, Bordeaux style glasses if you have them. This will help to balance out the aromas and the alcohol for a more refined drinking experience.