You love to drink red wine - it is healthy, complex . and it is your personal preference! But you switch to white wine in summer because you find red wine too warm and heavy. Has the thought crossed your mind that maybe you are not drinking your favourite wine at the right temperature.

Most wine drinkers in India have now acquired enough knowledge to brag at parties that room temperature for red wines does not mean "our" room temperature and that it refers to the ambient temperature in the cellars and homes in France and Italy. And that red wine should therefore be served at 18 degrees C. It's only somewhat correct.

The 18 degree C limit is for serving full-bodied wines. These include Bordeaux blends, Shiraz, Californian and Chilean Cabernets, Grenache, Barolos and Barbarescos or even Brunellos. At higher temperatures, alcohol evaporates into the nose; oak becomes more predominant and interferes with the fruitiness.

Lighter wines like Beaujolais, Valpolicella and Zinfandels Blush express their flavours best at 10-12 degrees. Medium-bodied wines like Burgundy and Chianti must be served at 14 degrees. By the same logic, rose wines that are made from red grapes should be served chilled at 8-10 degrees.

Remember the cardinal principle: Lighter the body of the wine, the lower the serving temperature. Obviously, you don't need to measure the temperature in the glass with a thermometer, though they're available in the market and I often use one to calibrate my own palate. You know that ice-cold water is served at 4-6 degrees and any liquid in an air-conditioned room would stabilise at 20-24 degrees. You can form a good idea of the wine temperature with a bit of practice and an open mind.

Just like you would want your Coke/Pepsi really chilled (at 6-8 degrees), the sparkling wines should be served at that temperature; Vintage Champagne or better-quality cavas should be served at the higher end of the range to avoid killing the flavours. Most light- bodied whites, including Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio and Gavi, should be served at 8-10 degrees; a medium-bodied Chardonnays at 10-12 degrees; a fuller and aged Chardonnay at 12 degrees or even sometimes at 14 degrees.

No white wine should be served at a higher temperature.

If you are fond of red wine, you don't have to give it up during summer. Choose the wines according to the season and cool accordingly.

Lighter and fruity wines like Beaujolais and Valpolicella add to your drinking pleasure. Incidentally, the best way of cooling a red is to stick it in the fridge 10-15 minutes before serving it. Or just put it in an ice bucket filled with cold water and cubes of ice. Don't hesitate to ask the waiter in a restaurant to do the same when you order red wine.

Enjoy red wine . even in summertime by serving it at the right temperature.