You have searched out and found a very special bottle to celebrate a birthday, promotion or perhaps a wedding anniversary. You even put together a charcuterie plate to add that extra flare. Don’t spoil this perfect scenario by not thinking about these two questions that many forget when it comes to wine service.
Are you serving your wine at the correct temperature? Chilling plays a huge role in enhancing your wine’s properties. For example, serving a wine served too cold will enhance the fruit but knock out perception of the tannic backbone and conversely serving the wine at a warm temperature can hide some of the fruit and make the tannic backbone overpower. One key to great service is to help the wine show its perfect balance by knowing the optimal temperature for consumption. In general, light whites and roses at 8°C, full-bodied whites at 11°C, light reds at 13°C and full-bodied reds at 16°C.
What stemware will you use? I use a stainless-steel camping glass in the wilds of Canada, but it gives reds a tin can vibe. On picnics, solo cups give downward dog on the nose. These are the exceptional situations however and I am not concerned as Chateau Margaux is not on campground or picnic menus.
Under more controlled settings with nicer wines, you need to pay attention to the craftsmanship and shape of the glass. I love the Riedel (rhymes with needle) Performance Tasting Set. You get a Riesling, Chardonnay, Cab/Merlot and a Pinot Noir glass and recommendations for which glass best suits lesser known varietals.
Riedel does outstanding presentations at local wine stores and offers tastings with good discounts on sets of stemware so check to see when they are coming. You will be amazed at how much better a wine can taste when served in the proper glass.
Now go make that perfect wine evening sparkle!
