Storage and Service of Wine Flashcards
Describe methods used to preserve wine
Wine will lose aromatic intensity, oxidise and develop vinegar aromas after opening. Must replace closure and store in fridge.
Vacuum System : Oxygen is removed from the bottle, and bottle is sealed
Inert Gas System : Bottle is filled with inert gas (nitrogen or argon) to avoir the wine coming in contact with oxygen.
Measures you can get from a 75cl bottle
6 X 125ml
4 X 175ml
3 X 250ml
How to open a bottle of sparkling wine ?
Chilling helps reduce pressure
1. Remove foil and losen wire cage
2. Cork must be held securely from now on
3. Tilt the bottle at a 30 degree angle. Grip cork and the base of the bottle
4. Turn the bottle, not the cork
5. Hold the cork steady, ease it slowly out of the bottle
6. Gas pressure should be released quietly
How to decant a wine ?
- Remove bottle horizontally from its rack and place in decanting basket. Hold carefully, making sure the deposit is not agitated
- Remove the top of the capsule and clean the shoulder and neck. Remove the cork
- Remove the bottle from the basket without distrubing the deposit. Hold in front of the light. Pour into the decanter until the deposit can be seen near the neck. Stop pouring
How to open a bottle of still wine ?
- Remove the top of the capsule, below the lip of the bottle
- Wipe the neck with a clean cloth
- Draw the cork as gently and cleanly as possible
- Give the neck a final clean inside and out
- Pour a sample to check wine condition
Describe the glassware for red wine
Large-sized glasses
Allow air to come into contact with large surface and develop aromas/flavours
Describe the glassware for white and rosé wine
Medium-sized glasses
Fresh fruit characteristics are gathered and directed towards the top of the glass
Describe the glassware for sparkling wine
Flute : Enhance visual effect of bubble
Tulip-shaped flute or white wine glasses : permit a larger surface area for the liquid ehancing aromas.
Describe the glassware for fortified wine
Small glasses
Large enough to allow swirling and nosing.
Explain how to warm and cool a wine
- Room temperature is often too hot (lose freshness and flavours) or cold (make the wine thin and harsh, masks flavours).
- Gentlest way to warm a wine is to let the bottle warm slowly or put the bowl of the glass in your hand
- Best way to cool a wine quickly is with an ice bucket. Fill the bucket to 3/4, with equal quantity of ice and water. Air act as an insulator and only ice will chill too slowlly.
General points that should be observed when storing wine
- Cool and constant temperature, between 15° and 20° . Avoid kitchen and long term refrigeration (extreme temperature and risk of cork failures)
- Store wine with cork on the side to keep it humid. If the cork dries out, the wine will oxidise
- Keep away from strong light - natural of artificial. If heats the wine wich will become stale. Artificial light can cause unpleasant flavours.
- Keep wine away from any vibrations to avoid disturbing deposit.
What is the service temperature of medium/full-bodied, oaked white wines ?
Lightly chilled
10° - 13°
What is the service temperature of Light/Medium-bodied white wines ?
Chilled
7° - 10°
What is the service temperature of sweet wines ?
Well chilled
6° - 8°
What is the service temperature of sparkling wines ?
Well chilled
6° - 10°
