Wine is a drink steeped in symbolism and ritual. Although you don't need to follow the guidelines when relaxing with a friend or two, it is good to know serve wine when you're in more formal situations. Here are some steps you can follow to pour each glass like a professional.
Instructions
1. Have appropriate glassware for the types of wine you'll be serving. White wines should be served in tulip shaped glasses, red wine glassware has a more rounded and larger bowl, and sparkling wine glasses are tall and thin. When you do not have all types of glasses recommended, a suitable all-purpose wine glass should hold 10 ounces, be transparent and have a slight curve at the top.
2. Check your wine glasses. Make sure they're clean and sniff them to be sure they do not smell of soap or anything else. Rinse them off if needed.
3. Open the wine. When you have many guests, or are serving multiple wines have enough opened just before you get ready to pour so you have enough for everyone.
4. Decant the wine (pour it into a decorative container from which you will be pouring it) if you choose, before serving it and out of the sight of guests. Decanting can improve the flavor of older red wines, although younger and white wines also benefit from the aeration and rest. Before decanting, let the bottle rest upright to allow sediment to sink to the bottom, the slowly pour the wine at an angle to prevent the sediment from entering the decanter. You can also pour the wine through cheesecloth to help filter wayward particles.
5. Leave each wine glass on the table, and pour the wine into it. Pour toward the center of the glass, unless the wine is sparkling in which case pour against the side of the glass to preserve bubbles. Twist the bottle or decanter as you tilt and pour it to control drips. Face the label towards the guest when not using a decanter so they see what they are drinking.
6. Fill each glass to no more than two-thirds full. This allows room for the guest to swirl it, if they choose. Serve women and older guests first, then men and end with yourself. Keep glasses full for all guests, and appoint a friend to help when you're preoccupied with food preparation or other host duties.
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