Important numbers

Alcohol
Lowbelow 11%
Medium11% - 13.9%
High14%+
Fortified wines
Low15% - 16.4%
Medium16.5% - 18.4%
High18.5%+
Climate
Cool16.5°C (62°F) or below
Moderate16.5°C - 18.5°C (62°F - 65°F)
Warm18.5°C - 21°C (65°F - 70°F)
Fermentation temperatures
White or rosé wines12°C - 22°C (54°F - 72°F)
Red wines20°C - 32°C (68°F - 90°F)
Serving temperatures
NameTemperatureStyle of wine
Well chilled6°C - 8°C (43°F - 46°F)Sweet wine
Well chilled6°C - 10°C (43°F - 50°F)Sparkling wine
Chilled7°C - 10°C (45°F - 50°F)Light-, medium-bodied white or rosé
Lightly chilled10°C - 13°C (50°F - 55°F)Full-bodied white
Room temperature or lightly chilled13°C - 18°C (55°F - 64°F)Light-bodied red
Room temperature15°C - 18°C (59°F - 64°F)Medium-, full-bodied red

Daily wine questions & flashcards on our stories

@cork.academy

Keep this project decanting 🍇

If these notes made your WSET journey smoother, consider a small donation — it helps cover costs and keeps the updates coming.

Prepared based on “Wines: Looking behind the label, Issue 1 (2019)” and “WSET® Level 2 Award in Wines Workbook” by WSET.

Cork Academy is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to WSET. WSET® is a registered trademark of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

Formerly at wset.luksow.com.