Serving Wine

From the files of Cork Cuisine

Choreography

Opening the Bottle

• Cut the foil off neatly below the rim.


• Remove the cork, taking care not to bend it.


• Be careful not to shake the wine up, especially in the case of older wines that may have thrown sediment.

• Wipe the top of the bottle, or pour about an ounce into your glass to remove cork fragments. This also enables you to inspect the colour, texture and taste of the wine.


• Inspect the cork to see that it is not too dry and crumbling. This can indicate a bottle of wine that has been standing upright for a long period. If the cork is dry it may shrink; this can lead to oxidation, or "corked" wine.


• Decant the wine if necessary by pouring it into a carafe. Make sure no sediment transfers into the new container.


• Fill the wine glass to two-thirds of its capacity. This allows the bouquet to develop and makes it easier to drink and swirl the wine without spilling.

• Place the bottle at the right side of the host.


• Ask for an ice bucket if the wine is too warm, or refuse one if the wine is too cold. Don't be shy!

Quick Wine Tip
Giving the bottle a little twist after pouring avoids spilling or dripping on the tablecloth.

Serving Wine

From the files of Cork Cuisine

In the world of connoisseurs, there are several rules that are a must for formal wine service.

May I Have Another Glass?

For many wine lovers, enjoying a great bottle tends to be a very involved process. However, understanding ways to enjoy wine elevates the entire wine tasting experience.

Glasses

Different shapes of glasses are made to complement different types of wine. Be sure, when serving or drinking wine, to use the proper wine glass. This will help you enjoy your wine to the fullest.

White wine glasses are tulip shaped. If other glasses are unavailable, white wine glasses are acceptable to serve red or sparkling wine.

Red wine glasses are usually larger in size. They have a rounder bowl to enhance the wine's aroma by allowing more air contact.

Flutes are for sparkling wines or Champagne. These are tall and thin to bring out the delicate scent and effervescence of the wine.

The proper way to hold any style of glass is by the stem. In addition to keeping unsightly fingerprints off of the glass, this also prevents the wine from heating to an undesirable temperature. Beware of too large a bowl; it can make a glass unsteady.

For a good all purpose wine glass, look for a glass with a minimum capacity of 10 oz. The glass must be transparent to allow the taster to examine the wine's colour and body. The glass should also curve in at the top to retain the bouquet or scent.

All purpose white wine glasses are adequate for serving red wine, but it is unacceptable to serve white wine in a red wine glass.

Serving Wine

From the files of Cork Cuisine

In the world of connoisseurs, there are several rules that are a must for formal wine service. These rules include the following:

• Use the correct glasses according to the wine served.


• Use correct table settings.


• Do not smoke at the table.


• Decant the wine if sediment is present. This separates the sediment from the wine and aerates it as well.


• Serve the wine at its proper temperature.


• Let red wines "breathe."


• Cut the capsule (the foil just below the lip of the bottle).


• Uncork the wine properly (do not bend the cork).


• Pour the cork (about an ounce in a glass). This checks the wine for colour, texture, and taste, and removes any bits of broken cork out of the wine.


• Pair food and wine to complement each other.

More Wine Etiquette tomorrow!