Perhaps you’ve selected a special occasion to open that bottle of wine you’ve been saving, or maybe you’re hosting a dinner party. Knowing how to properly open, serve, and enjoy your wine will make the experience more memorable and allow you to experience the wine more fully. Wine service involves a few key elements, including temperature, opening the bottle, letting the wine breathe, choosing glasses, and pouring.
Wine Temperature and Serving Tips
The temperature at which wine is served is crucial. White wines should be served chilled, which can be done by placing them in the refrigerator for one to two hours before serving. This will bring their temperature to around fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit. The high acidity of white wines is moderated when chilled, enhancing the taste. However, avoid storing white wine in the fridge for extended periods, as this can dull its flavor, making it flat and lifeless. If you’re short on time, you can place the bottle in a bucket of ice water to quickly cool it down.
Red wines, on the other hand, are served at a slightly warmer temperature. They should be chilled in the refrigerator for thirty to forty-five minutes, reaching around sixty-two degrees Fahrenheit, which is considered “room temperature” for reds. Serving red wine at this temperature slows down the evaporation of alcohol, enhancing the bouquet and flavor. If red wine is served too cold, it may taste bitter.
If you happen to forget about your red wine in the refrigerator and it becomes too cold, there are several remedies. You can pour the wine into a warm decanter or warm wine glasses. In an emergency, you could microwave the bottle for about fifteen to twenty seconds, but be cautious—cooked wine is never a good choice.
Once your wine is at the right temperature, it’s time to open the bottle. Start by removing the metal foil around the cork, which can be done with a foil cutter or a sharp knife. Be sure to remove any jagged edges, as they can be sharp and cause cuts or lead to spills while pouring. Then, use a corkscrew to remove the cork. If the cork splits or presents problems, you may need to push it back into the bottle. To avoid this, you can strain the wine through a small vegetable steamer or a coffee filter into a decanter. This will prevent any cork pieces from ending up in your glass.
When opening sparkling wine or champagne, proceed with caution. These bottles are opened by twisting off a metal guard, which is easiest to do with a spoon to protect your fingers. Carefully untwist the guard, then pop the cork with the bottle facing away from you and your guests. Be sure not to shake the bottle before opening it, as doing so can cause an explosive eruption of bubbles.
Decanting and Glassware
For red wines, especially high-quality bottles, allowing the wine to breathe is a good idea. Pour the wine into a decanter and let it open up for a couple of hours. This helps release its full flavor and bouquet.
Once your wine is decanted, it’s time to choose the right glass. The most common and versatile glass is the tulip-shaped wine glass, which has a wide bowl and a narrow top with a long stem. This shape is ideal for swirling the wine, as it allows for good movement with little risk of spillage. The narrow top helps trap the wine’s bouquet, enhancing its aroma. The long stem prevents your hand from warming the wine, preserving its temperature.
There are also stemless wine glasses available. While these can showcase a wine’s aroma beautifully and allow it to breathe during consumption, they can also leave fingerprints on the glass and affect the wine’s temperature as the glass is handled. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
When filling your glasses, remember to pour only about halfway. This allows the wine to breathe and gives you room to swirl the wine, enhancing the overall experience. Additionally, it’s a good idea to serve light-bodied wines before full-bodied ones and younger wines before older ones. This helps keep your palate fresh for the entire tasting.
