Service Flashcards
What is the minimum number of serviettes required for decanting service?
3
What are some different types of patterns that can be used when placing multiple glasses in front of someone at a dinner or a wine tasting?
line, diamond, arc or cluster
What is the ideal ratio of ice to water in an ice bucket meant for a sparkling wine?
50/50
At what size of party does it become acceptable to pour clockwise, regardless of gender?
8
What tools are necessary for decanting?
One clean decanter, a candle, three coasters (which may be delivered to the table with glassware or placed on the gueridon), several folded serviettes, a wine basket (cradle), a butane lighter or matches, and any additional cork removal tools. The gueridon must be lined with a clean linen, and the wine basket must be lined with a folded serviette.
Explain double decanting:
If a sommelier wants to serve a decanted wine from its original bottle rather than the decanter, or simply wants to increase the amount of aeration the wine receives, he or she may choose to “double decant” the wine. After the wine is decanted, the sommelier pours the wine from the decanter back into the bottle—a task that requires a really steady hand. This is not usually performed tableside. If the bottle has sediment remaining inside it, the sommelier should rinse the bottle with cool distilled water prior to pouring the wine back into it.
What tools are necessary for serving vintage port?
After opening the bottle, you will need a decanter, a silver funnel and screen, and cheesecloth. Rinse the cheesecloth prior to use and line the funnel with it. Slowly decant the port through the funnel, and the cheesecloth with filter out the sediment. If a table has purchased the whole bottle, you may serve the port directly from the decanter; if this is a by-the-glass selection, or you prefer to serve it from the bottle, then you must thoroughly rinse the bottle with cool distilled water and pour the decanted port back into it.
For all service examinations, the Court of Master Sommeliers expects that candidates will arrive with the correct tools which are:
Two “waiter’s friend” corkscrews, two pens, a small tablet of paper, two odorless lighters or matches, and two crumbers.
What are some wines that are appropriate to store upright for the longer term?
Sherry producers suggest storing their products upright, lest the heightened level of alcohol erode the plastic-capped cork. Madeira houses likewise insist their bottles should remain vertical, and Champagne may stand upright during long-term storage, a practice advocated by the CIVC.
