Storage and Service of Wine

Question 1

How should wine be stored?

Answer 1

at a cool constant temperature (10-15C);
on its side if sealed with a cork
away from light and heat

Question 2

What are the recommended service temperatures for wine?

Answer 2

Sweet wines - 43-45F
Sparkling wines - 43-50F
Light/med whites - 45-50F
Full whites - 50-55F
Light reds - 55F
Med/full reds - 59-64F

Question 3

Describe the process of decanting wine.

Answer 3

remove bottle horizontally and use basket, if available;
remove capsule gently, wipe, remove cork gently;
hold the bottle in front of light and pour into decanter until deposit can be seen at the neck

Question 4

Describe the process of opening a still bottle of wine.

Answer 4

cut foil at bottom lip to remove capsule;
wipe with clean cloth;
remove cork with corkscrew;
wipe;
pour sample for host to check the condition of the wine

Question 5

Describe the process of opening a sparkling bottle of wine.

Answer 5

remove foil and loosen wire cage;
secure cork;
turn bottle, not cork

Question 6

Describe two methods of wine preservation.

Answer 6

Vacuum systems - pump air out of the bottle

Blanket systems - cover wine with a protective layer of argon gas