How to Chill Wine Fast: The Spinning Method

The Spinning Method: Quick, Effective, and Science-Backed

According to SAMsARA Winemaker Matt Brady, the fastest way to chill a bottle of wine is by spinning it in heavily salted ice water. This method works because it enhances the natural process of convection, speeding up the transfer of heat from the wine to the ice bath. Here’s how you can do it:

Steps to Chill Wine in 2-3 Minutes:

1. Prepare the Salted Ice Bath:
   • Mix ½ pound of salt into a large bucket of water. Stir thoroughly to ensure the salt is fully dissolved.
   • Add ice to the salted water and mix until you have a thick, slushy consistency.
2. Submerge the Bottle:
   • • Completely submerge your bottle(s) of wine into the salted ice water mixture.
3. Spin the Bottle:
   • Grab the bottle by the top and spin it while keeping it fully submerged in the ice bath. For red wines, spin for about 2 minutes; for white wines, spin for about 3 minutes.
4. Enjoy:
   • Remove the bottle from the ice bath, pull the cork, and enjoy your perfectly chilled wine!

Why It Works:

Spinning the bottle in the ice bath accelerates the process of convection, where warmer liquid inside the bottle moves outward to meet the colder liquid outside, rapidly cooling the wine.

Bonus: Works for Champagne Too

Worried about using this method for champagne? Don’t be! Spinning champagne or sparkling wine in the salted ice bath won’t cause an unruly explosion. In fact, it reduces the chance of foaming by allowing the bubbles to gather at the top, resulting in a smooth pour.

Conclusion

When time is of the essence, the spinning method is your best bet. It takes only 2-3 minutes to chill your wine to the perfect temperature, making it ideal for those moments when you need a quick solution. So, next time you’re in a pinch, remember to spin, chill, and enjoy!