Serving wine correctly can make all the difference in the world to your guests. A well-chilled bottle of wine will keep in your fridge for up to two days, and if you’re serving it in a clear glass, it will stay at its peak temperature for up to three hours. Here are some tips to serve white dessert wine properly:
1. Choose a nice glass
If you’re serving wine at a dinner party, don’t reach for the cheap plastic or paper cups. You want something a bit more elegant, like an enameled glass, which will hold a good amount of wine and allow it to breathe.Pour a little wine into the glass, swirl it around and smell it. If you can’t smell anything, then add a little more sugar or water. The goal is to dilute your wine so that you have a lie-down wine to sip over time instead of having one large glass of wine that makes you feel drunk in an hour’s time.
2. Get the right temperature
Wine should be served between 55 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If you prefer your wine chilled, just let it sit out until it warms up again before pouring. If you prefer it warm, pour into a glass bottle and let it sit in a warm place for about an hour before drinking.Don’t try to make your own cocktails at home — at least not until you’ve learned how to pour them correctly!If you want your guests to enjoy their wine, let them taste it first before pouring some into the glasses of others.
3. Don’t store it in the fridge
Wine does best if kept in its original container; storing it in the fridge can damage the taste of your favorite bottle over time by allowing oxygen to interact with the wine’s chemical compounds.Avoid pouring your own glass upside down, as this could lead to a mess on the tablecloth or floor.Use a corkscrew rather than a knife or spoon when opening bottles because it will not damage the cork or foil seal inside them as much as a knife would do so (not that most bottles have those in any case!).
4. Use a wine glass with a straight stem
A straight stem is one that is not bent or curved, but rather sticks straight up from the bottom of the glass. This makes it easier to pour your wine without spilling any. You’ll want to keep them clean so they will open easily and smoothly, so invest in good quality corkscrews that are easy to use and don’t rust easily.
5. Stir your wine before serving it
If you’re serving white wines only, this isn’t really necessary because they don’t require much stirring; however, if you’re serving red wines (like Cabernet Sauvignon), then stirring can make all the difference in how long it takes for them to settle down after being poured into your glass.Serve wine at the appropriate temperature – Wines should be served at room temperature.Do not serve wine to anyone who has not tasted it before, or who has had any alcohol in the last two hours.Unless you are serving a very light-flavored wine like white zinfandel, do not serve sweet dessert wines with savory dishes such as pasta or steak.
