C03 - Storage and Service of Wine

Question 1

What is the ideal long-term storage temperature for wines?

Answer 1

10 - 15C
(50-55F)

Question 2

Where is one of the worst places in a house to store wine? Why?

Answer 2

Kitchen; wide fluctuations in temperature

Question 3

What are the two biggest risks with long term refrigeration of wines?

Answer 3

The cork may harden and lose its elasticity, resulting in the wine prematurely oxidising
Sparkling wine may lose its fizz

Question 4

What are the four general points to observe when storing wine?

Answer 4

Store between 10-15C (50-55F)
Store cork-sealed wine on its sideKeep wines away from strong light
Keep wine away from vibrations

Question 5

Why should cork-sealed wine be stored on its side?

Answer 5

To keep the cork in contact with the wine; this stops the cork drying out and the wine consequently oxidising

Question 6

What effect can strong light have on a wine?

Answer 6

It can heat the wine, causing it to become stale and old before its timeArtificial light can cause unpleasant flavours to develop in wine

Question 7

How may reds taste if they are too cold? How can this be remedied?

Answer 7

Thin and harsh| By warming them up slowly

Question 8

Why must reds not be warmed by any sudden exposure to heat?

Answer 8

It may irretrievably damage the wine

Question 9

What may happen to a red wine at above 18C (64F)?

Answer 9

It will appear to lose its freshness and flavours will become muddled

Question 10

How should an ice-bucket be filled?

Answer 10

3 quarters full with equal quantities of water and ice

Question 11

Why is cooling more effective with the presence of water?

Answer 11

Air acts as an insulator - heat is more easily transferred via water to melt the ice

Question 12

What can over-chilling do to a white wine/rosé?

Answer 12

Mask the flavours

Question 13

What is the ideal serving temperature for a medium/full bodied, oaked white wine?

Answer 13

Lightly chilled: 10-13C
(50-55F)

Question 14

What is the ideal serving temperature for light/medium bodied white wines?

Answer 14

Chilled: 7-10C
(45-50F)

Question 15

What is the ideal serving temperature for sweet wines?

Answer 15

Well chilled: 6-8C
(43-46F)

Question 16

What is the ideal serving temperature for sparkling wines?

Answer 16

Well chilled: 6-10C
(43-50F)

Question 17

What is the ideal serving temperature for light-bodied reds?

Answer 17

Lightly chilled: 13C
(55F)

Question 18

What is the ideal serving temperature for medium/full-bodied red wines?

Answer 18

Room temperature: 15-18C
(59-64F)

Question 19

What kind of glass should a red wine be served in? Why?

Answer 19

Larger sized| It allows air to come into contact with a large wine surface and develop the aromas and flavours

Question 20

What kind of glass should a white or rosé wine be served in? Why?

Answer 20

A medium sized glass| Fresh fruit aromas can be gathered and directed towards the top of the glass

Question 21

What kind of glass should sparkling wines be served in? Why?

Answer 21

Flute glasses
The shape enhances the effect of the wine’s bubbles and therefore the wine’s aroma, by allowing them to travel through a larger volume of wine before reaching the surface

Question 22

What kind of glass should fortified wines be served in? Why?

Answer 22

Small glasses| The high alcohol content isn’t concentrated as much in a smaller glass

Question 23

Why should a fortified wine glass not be too small?

Answer 23

It should allow room for swirling and nosing

Question 24

Why is clean glassware so important?

Answer 24

The slightest flavour taint can ruin the flavour of a wine

Question 25

Why should you check for residue/crystals after dishwasher cleaning?

Answer 25

Sparkling wine may lose its sparkle more quickly

Question 26

What is the best way to prepare glasses before use? What will this do?

Answer 26

Polish them before each use with a linen cloth
It will ensure they are clean and free of finger marks and dust, it will also remove any residue without leaving small pieces of fluff in the glass

Question 27

Describe the order of opening a bottle of still wine

Answer 27

Remove the top of the capsule by cutting below the lip of the bottle
Wipe the neck of the bottle with a clean cloth
Draw the cork as gently and cleanly as possible
Give the neck of the bottle a final clean inside and out
Pour a sample to check condition

Question 28

Which wines need to be decanted?

Answer 28

Wines with a heavy deposit| Some young wines

Question 29

Describe the process of decanting a wine

Answer 29

Remove the bottle horizontally from the rack and place in a decanting basket/hold carefully, making sure not to agitate the deposit
Gently remove the top of the capsule and clean the shoulder and neck, then very gently remove the cork
Carefully remove the bottle from the basket (where applicable) and holding the bottle in front of a light, pour the wine carefully into a decanter until the deposit can be seen near the neck.
Stop pouring at this point

Question 30

How is the pressure in a bottle of sparkling wine reduced?

Answer 30

By chilling it to the correct temperature

Question 31

List the process of correctly opening a bottle of sparkling wine

Answer 31

Remove the foil and loosen the wire cage
Hold the cork securely in place
Tilt the bottle at an angle of about 30 degrees, gripping the cork with one hand and gripping the base with the other
Turn the bottle
Hold the cork steady and ease it out
Gas pressure should be released with a quiet ‘phut’

Question 32

How many glasses can you get out of a 75cl bottle in the following glass sizes;
125ml
175ml
250ml

Answer 32

6
4
3

Question 33

What is the simplest way to extend a wine’s life for a few days after opening it?

Answer 33

Replace the closure and store in a fridge

Question 34

What are the ‘other’ methods of preserving a wine’s life?

Answer 34

Vacuum systems| Blanket systems

Question 35

Describe how a vacuum preservation system works| What is this system unsuitable for?

Answer 35

The oxygen is removed from the bottle and the bottle is sealed
Sparkling wines (they will lose their bubbles)

Question 36

Describe how a blanket preservation system works

Answer 36

It blankets the wine with a gas heavier than oxygen, to form a protective layer between the wine and air