We are going to a wedding tomorrow, and have bought a bottle of wine for the room. It may be a few hours before we can check in, so there is a possibility that the wine may have to stay in a hot car for a few hours. My husband says it will ruin the wine, I say, if that was true, they would need to ship wine refridgerated. What do you think?
2006-07-28 11:23:28 · 15 answers · asked by europa312 4 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
Been there done that, accidentally left a bottle of good riesling in my car for several hours. When I returned, the bottle was too hot to touch. I was worried that it would be ruined but when I finally got around to drinking it a few weeks later it was absolutely fine.
PS I let it cool down again naturally, before putting it in the fridge.
2006-07-28 11:28:07 · answer #1 · answered by suzanne 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take a cooler and keep the wine there for the few hours in question. You won't freeze the wine, and you'll be doing yourself a huge favor. And yes, wine is shipped in temperature-controlled containers, even on the open seas.
A few hours in a hot car will probably destroy a fine wine, especially an older fine wine. All wine, however, no matter how young or old, how inexpensive or expensive, undergoes irreversible chemical changes when heated beyond about 75 degrees F. Just like meat, once you've applied sufficient heat, is said to be "cooked," wine will "cook" too, although it won't look (or taste) like that juicy medium-rare steak!
So, it's not just your hot car, but your 12-bottle wine rack on your kitchen counter, or in your living room, or anything that's kept at modern-day room temps that should be a concern, even over the relatively short-term (6-12 months). The wine may taste fine to you, but you can be assured that it's not tasting as good as it could and as good as it was meant to.
You might also consider the importance of heat when you are purchasing your wine. Seek out merchants who keep wine in a temperature-controlled environment, preferably around 60 degrees or cooler. Such merchants are likely serious about getting you good wine in great condition, and they are definitely worthy of your support.
Cheers!
2006-07-28 11:52:20 · answer #2 · answered by cadoran00 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may ruin the wine. Temperature changes will effect the wine and many times in a negative way. Wine should not reach over 72 degrees F or you may risk ruining it. It is more the rapid temperature change that will effect it though - say going from 70 in your home to 85 in the car - that will have a negative effect on the wine. Sun light will also ruin a wine so do not leave in direct sunlight. Bring a cooler with a few ice packs and throw the wine in that in your car and should be fine for the few hours.
Also - wine is usually shipped in temperature controlled boxes (not refrigerated, not cooled enough to keep it around 65-70) when on cargo ships etc. and many distributors have temp controlled trucks and warehouses.
2006-07-28 11:28:28 · answer #3 · answered by skifaster66 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really does depend on the kind and quality of the wine. If the wine is very young and robust, it could come through a few hours of heating ok; the heat will cause acceleration of ageing of the wine. If the wine is already at drinking age, the heat will definitely damage it, even only an hour.
2006-07-28 19:43:44 · answer #4 · answered by gp4rts 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I accidentally left a bottle of Chardonnay and Merlot in the car for two days. The outside temperature never went over 70 degrees. Is the wine ruined?
2014-04-10 05:47:06 · answer #5 · answered by CoachRoy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They do ship wine refrigerated. If you leave a bottle of wine in a car in summer heat it will maderize and become undrinkable. You can kind of get away with it in the late fall and early spring but as the temperatures warm up, it's best to get the wine into a refrigerated place.
2006-07-28 13:37:24 · answer #6 · answered by Patricia D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes its true... IF the wine was chilled you shouldn't let it go to room temp. and if its been held at room temp (say 75degrees) then kept in a car that will be Over 100 degrees then its probably going to be nasty. wine beer and liqueur are not meant to be stored for any length of time in HEAT. Wine is shipped and stored at a room temperature and some are only sold chilled LIKE BEER.
2006-07-28 11:29:48 · answer #7 · answered by ChrissyLicious 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The funny thing about wine is that all conditions affect it. Sometimes positive, sometimes negative. Each bottle is different. Each grape variety, each winery. So there's no one answer to it. Just have to try it and see what it tastes like.
2006-07-28 11:28:38 · answer #8 · answered by Just Ducky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will be fine for a few hours! Just chill it down before you open it. It's already fermented, unless it was opened I don't see how it would ruin. It's meant to be stored for years.
2006-07-28 11:28:14 · answer #9 · answered by MaryJaneD 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wine does go sour..also called swill. Room temps might not hurt it but extreme heat would I'm sure.
2006-07-28 11:28:15 · answer #10 · answered by Georgia Girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋