Wine is one of the only alcoholic drinks that garners a certain level of know-how. Serving wine may seem like a simple task, but there’s more to it than just popping open a bottle and pouring it into a glass. Pouring wine is an art form, one that should not be taken for granted. This article will give you some tips and guidelines on how to serve wine like a pro. Here are a few things to know:
Choosing Wine Glasses
The first step in serving wine properly is choosing the right glasses. There is always the option of simply using your standard drinking glasses, but that would be a huge mistake. The thin walls and small opening of regular wine glasses will not give the drinking time to breathe, which is very important in enhancing its flavor.
Also, the shape of the glass can affect how the wine tastes, so it’s essential to select a glass that is appropriate for the type of wine you’ll be serving. For example, a red wine glass typically has a wider bowl than a white wine glass to allow the wine to breathe and release its flavor.
Pouring Wine
Pouring wine is an important part of serving it. After all, pouring the wine is what leads to drinking it. When pouring the wine, hold the bottle by the neck and pour it into the glass at an angle. This will help prevent the wine from spilling and wasting. Furthermore, be sure to fill the glass no more than halfway. This allows room for swirling, which lets in oxygen to mix with the wine and release its aroma. A good trick to remember if you serve red wine is to pour it into the center of the glass. Next, move the glass slightly so that the wine coats the entire inside surface.
Serving Wine at a Dinner Party
When serving wine at a dinner party, it is proper etiquette to pour the wine for the guests first and then pour your glass last. If a guest does not finish their glass of wine, do not pour them another unless they ask. It is considered rude to assume that someone wants another drink.
Additional Tips for Serving Wine
1. Know the wine.
Do some research on the type of wine you’ll be serving to determine what it should taste like and when it is best served. Do they pair well with certain foods or do they work best as a complement to certain desserts? Wine shops and wine lounges are often a good place to get this kind of information.
2. Serve white wines at 45 degrees and red wines at 60 degrees Celsius
Temperature is very important in how your guests will enjoy their wine, so make sure you know exactly how to regulate the temperature. When serving wines at 45 degrees Celsius, allow them to breathe for about 15 seconds before you serve them. This allows the wine to deglaze and release its aroma. When serving red wines at 60 degrees Celsius, allow 3 minutes for the wine to de-gas.
3. Know when to decant red wines
Red wines are typically aged for a long time before they are served, but when you’re using a new bottle, it’s best to decant them first. An easy way of doing this is to pour some wine into a separate carafe and then once it has settled, pour the wine back into the original bottle. This will remove any sediment from the bottom of the bottle and give your customer a better-tasting wine.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to serve wine like a pro. Choose the right wine glass, pour at the proper angle, and don’t forget to let your guests enjoy their wine first. By following these guidelines, you can be sure to make the most of your wine-drinking experience.
