There are a number of things that we need to look at in serving wine. Things like: proper serving temperature, opening the bottle properly, decanting, pouring and appropriate wine glasses to be used. From preparation to serving, knowing all these aspects, and enjoying the art of it, can surely enhance our indulgence to this very enjoyable drink!

Proper Serving Temperature

At what temperature is wine best served? In a cozy room, wine is served topped on ice. But do all wines need ice? No, a young inexpensive wine may taste best when it is cooled, but older expensive wines are usually better served warm.

Serving temperature affects the aroma and taste of wine. Red wines for instance are very enticing especially when kept at cellar temperature of about 16oC. Such condition enhances the aroma and embellishes the natural flavor. However, it is chilled you can try pouring it into a warm glass to replenish the taste and aroma. White wines, on the other hand, are the reverse of the other. This wine prefers a chilled condition of just about 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. Chilling it to a lower temperature, would probably mask off its taste and aroma.

Bottle Opening

Wine bottles are topped with either a cork or screw cap. The advantage of cork over screw caps is that its slight porous texture allows a favorable environment for wine to age in a cellar.

For sparkling wine and champagne, extra care should be applied as cork may eject with a tremendous force which could cause injury. It is best to take note that opening bottles at an angle away from you and other people helps to ensure safety, since drinking wine is more enjoyable when you’re not hurt!

Removal of Bottle Stink

Some wine enthusiasts like to open their drinks several hours before prior to serving for better aeration. This lets the wine breathe and release mercaptans or bottle stink in the wine. Glass agitation is also a way of removing bottle stink. This is done of course after the wine has been opened and poured into the glass.

Wine Decanting

Decanting is process of pouring wine which also allows wine breathing and thus improve flavor especially for older wines. In the process, wine is slowly and steadily poured down into a decanter. Pouring the wine carefully separates the sediments which add a bitter taste to the wine. While doing so, the bottle should be kept at an angle to prevent unwanted sediments flowing down the decanter.

Wine Pouring

Wine is a social drink; it’s not water and shouldn’t be filled up to the brim of the glass. Wine should be filled only to about halfway mark and should never exceed two thirds. Half-filled glasses allow your guests to swirl the wine to as much as they choose.

Typical wines are simply poured to the center of the glass. However, sparkling wines should be poured against the sides of the glass to preserve bubbles. Lastly, drips are a mess, that’s why twisting the bottle slightly as it is being tilted upright would prevent such mess.