VinoLoverLearning to serve wine correctly is not a matter for waiters and bartenders. We should all learn this art, as we do not know when we will be challenged to do it. In this way, we will avoid making mistakes when serving wine.
However, this is a skill that is not so difficult to master. And, with these simple tips, we know you will become an expert wine server for all occasions. Let’s get started!
Why is it important to serve wine correctly?
First of all, not knowing how to serve a good wine can give a bad image to your guests. There are those who are connoisseurs of this art, so they will be able to tell if you are inexperienced in the area by making mistakes serving wine.
On the other hand, there are techniques that allow a better enjoyment of the product, such as not filling the glass to the top. All this will allow the diner to perceive the flavours and aromas of the wine.
From another point of view, doing certain things, such as leaving the bottle at room temperature or simply not knowing how to remove the cork properly, could cause you to lose all the money you invested in its acquisition.
There are many things for which it is essential to learn how to serve wine well. But, if you still don’t know how to do it correctly, don’t worry, because below we will give you a couple of tips to improve your technique.
When is wine served?
Wine is served when you feel like tasting this delicious drink. So, from a glass with friends, a solo drink, to a romantic dinner or a formal meal, in all cases it is necessary to know how to serve wine without making mistakes.
Wine is one of the most versatile beverages that exist these days, so we cannot limit ourselves to simply drinking it on special occasions. Drinking a good glass of wine without a specific reason is one of the most pleasurable sensations there is
For this reason, we must be prepared and learn to master this art in the right way.
What are the necessary implements to serve wine?
When serving a glass, a series of implements or factors will be necessary to carry out this action and provide the best delight to the diners. Some of them are the following:
That the wine is at the right temperature
The temperature is a determining factor for the way in which the flavours will be perceived. A wine that is too cold will not allow the perfect development of its aromas, flavours or nuances. Therefore, its virtues will not be tasted correctly.
On the other hand, wines with a very high temperature will taste much more like alcohol and the sugars will be disproportionately present . In other words, we will be in the presence of a product with a totally adulterated taste.
The best thing to do is to look up on Google what is the ideal temperature for the type of wine you are going to serve. Indeed, each variety has a different range of ideal temperatures.
A correct uncorking process
Although the corking process sounds simple, it is more complex than it seems. Because, if the cork is not handled correctly, it can disintegrate and the cork particles will fall into the wine.
This will negatively affect the quality of the product and if we are not careful we will have to discard the bottle. The best thing to do is to use a professional corkscrew and Google the correct way to use it, to avoid problems.
Select the right glass
It is no secret that there is a type of glass suitable for each variety of wine. More specifically for red, white and sparkling wines
Each of them provides specific characteristics that match the body of the wines to be tasted. You need to be well informed about the type of glass needed for the wine you are going to serve.
What is the right technique to serve wine in the right way?
Well, in this case you can be a bit flexible, if you are not going to work in a formal way as a waiter. If you want to serve wine to your friends, family or guests, you will need to do the following procedure:
- Choose the right glass for your type of wine.
- Uncork the bottle.
- Take the bottle by its base (it is important not to grab the bottle directly from the middle to avoid heating or altering the temperature of the product) and pour the wine without touching the rim of the glass
- Be sure to pour the wine only halfway up the glass.
it’s as simple as that! You will see that you don’t need any special training to look like a pro, just by following these steps you will look good in front of your guests.
What mistakes can’t you make when serving wine?
Although there are not many, there are a certain number of mistakes that beginners tend to make when pouring a glass. Below, we will tell you what they are, so that you can avoid making them:
An expensive wine is not necessarily the best
There are those who think that the price will determine 100% the quality of the wine, but we must tell you that this is not entirely true. There are expensive wines that are lacking in flavour, aromas and body.
While certain varieties of much more affordable wines provide their tasters with a world of flavour and aromatic explosions that will delight your palate, so don’t make this mistake! Don’t judge a good wine by its price.
Filling the glass to the brim
We know that with certain alcoholic beverages, such as beer, the fuller the glass the better, however, that is not the case with a good glass of wine
It is always best to fill the glass to a few centimetres before the middle . This will prevent the contents from heating up more quickly and losing their proper temperature
In this way, the flavours are preserved for much longer and the diner can enjoy his drink properly.
Uncorking the bottle incorrectly
As we mentioned in previous lines, uncorking the bottle is a delicate procedure, so if it is done improperly, the wine can be contaminated with particles of this material.
In the worst case scenario, you will have to discard the bottle, as no one will want to drink wine with pieces of cork in its essence.
Do not change the glass when changing the wine variety
Each wine variety will have its own characteristic flavour, and all these flavours are impregnated in the glasses used to serve them. For this reason, it is important to change the glass when serving another variety of wine, so that its flavour is not altered.
However, we know that sometimes it will not be possible to make use of a new, totally clean glass. Therefore, you can use some of the new wine to rinse it.
Just pour a little into each glass and make circular movements for a few seconds. Then, discard the product and proceed to pour the wine calmly. This will help to easily remove the taste of the previous variety
Leave the remaining wine at room temperature
You may not know it, but wine oxidises quickly after being uncorked. This happens due to the contact of oxygen with the wine, which chemically alters some of the substances in the wine, causing it to decompose
To prevent this from happening so prematurely, you should place the leftover wine in the refrigerator, trying to seal the bottle as best you can. This will help preserve it for a couple of days.
However, if you notice that the wine has changed colour, flavour or aroma, you need to discard it immediately, as this is anindication that it has oxidised, .
We think that one of the best delights for any host is to see how your guests are satisfied with your attention. Do your best to serve wine without making mistakes! You will see how everyone will be fascinated by your skills.
VinoLover
Claudio Comella
