Storage & Service Of Wine Flashcards
For long-term storage, the temperature for all wines should be _______ and _____________.
- Cool
- Constant
Between what temperatures should wine be stored long-term?
10°C to 15°C
Which room in the house is considered one of the worst places to store wine, and why?
The kitchen, due to wide fluctuations in temperature
Why might extended refrigeration of an unopened wine cause it to become stale?
The cork could harden and lose its elasticity, causing the seal it creates to fail and air to attack the wine.
Why should you store cork-sealed wine on its side?
The cork must remain in contact with the wine - if it dries out, it can let in air which will oxidise the wine.
True or false - wines sealed with a screw cap can be stored standing up without any risk.
True
What will happen to a wine if it is stored in:
A) Direct sunlight
B) Strong artificial light
A) The sunlight will heat the wine, making it stale and old before it’s time.
B) Artificial light can cause unpleasant flavours to develop in some wines.
What form of movement can cause damage to resting wines?
Vibrations
What is the worst way to warm up a red wine, and why?
Sudden exposure to extreme heat, such as a radiator or open fire - it can irretrievably damage the wine.
What are the two best ways to warm up a red wine?
1) Allow the bottle to warm up slowly to room temperature
2) Hold the bowl of the wine glass in your hands
What happens to wines which gradually reach temperatures in excess of 18°C?
They appear to lose their freshness, and flavours become muddled.
Will a red wine heated gradually within excess of 18°C be irretrievably damaged?
Not necessarily - if allowed to cool naturally back down, it should regain its character.
What is the ideal temperature range for medium/full-bodied red wines?
15 - 18°C (Room temperature)
59-64°F
What is the ideal temperature for light-bodied red wines?
13°C (Lightly chilled)
55°F
What is the ideal temperature range for sparkling wines?
6 - 10°C (Well chilled)
43-50°F
What is the ideal temperature range for sweet wines?
6 - 8°C (Well chilled)
43-45°F
What is the ideal temperature range for light/medium-bodied white wines?
7 - 10°C (Chilled)
45-50°F
What is the ideal temperature range for medium/full-bodied, oaked white wines?
10 - 13°C (Lightly chilled)
50-55°F
What is the ideal service temperature for a White Burgundy?
Lightly chilled - 10-13°C
What is the ideal service temperature for Fino Sherry?
Chilled (7-10°C)
What is the ideal service temperature for Eiswein?
Well chilled (6-8°C)
What is the ideal service temperature for Cava?
Well chilled (6-10°C)
What is the ideal service temperature for Beaujolais?
Lightly chilled (13°C)
What is the ideal service temperature for Barossa Shiraz?
Room temperature (15-18°C)
Describe a perfectly-filled ice bucket.
3 points
It should be filled three-quarters full (1 point) with equal quantities of ice and water (1 point) so that the bottle is fully surrounded by iced water (1 point).
Why does submerging a bottle in an ice bucket cool it down?
The water is a conductor, and it transfers the heat from the bottle to melt the ice in the bucket.
Why will a bottle placed in ice alone, without water, take a long time to chill down?
Air acts an insulator, so without water to act as a conductor, the heat from the bottle will not come into contact with much of the ice.
What happens when a wine is slightly over-chilled?
It can mask its flavours and aromas
Why are there so many different shapes and sizes of wine glass?
The shape and size of the glass will emphasise particular characteristics and enhance the drinking experience with each wine
Which glass is most suitable for a red wine, and why?
A) Large glass
B) Medium glass
C) Flute
D) Small glass
A) Large glass
This allows air to come into contact with a large surface area of wine, and develop its aromas and flavours.
Which glass is most suitable for a white or rosé wine, and why?
A) Large glass
B) Medium glass
C) Flute
D) Small glass
B) Medium glass
The fresh, fruity characteristics are gathered and directed towards the top of e glass.
Which glass is most suitable for a sparkling wine, and why?
A) Large glass
B) Medium glass
C) Flute
D) Small glass
C) Flute
This shape enhances the effect of the bubbles (and thus the aroma), allowing them to travel through a larger volume of wine before bursting at the top of the glass.
Which glass is most suitable for a fortified wine, and why?
A) Large glass
B) Medium glass
C) Flute
D) Small glass
D) Small glass
Their high alcohol content means a smaller glass for a smaller serving - however, the glass must still be large enough to allow swirling and nosing.
Why are the old-fashioned saucer-shaped glasses actually unsuitable for sparkling wine?
The bubbles are very quickly lost and do not travel very far through the wine before bursting, which doesn’t display its full aromas.
Why is it very important that wine glasses are clean?
The slightest taint can ruin the flavour of the wine
Why should you check the cleanliness of glassware which has been washed in a dishwasher?
Detergent or salt residue could remain in the glass, giving the wine a strange flavour
Apart from tainted flavours, what can happen to a sparkling wine if it is served in a dirty glass?
It can lose its sparkle more quickly
What is the best way to ensure a glass is clean before use?
Polish it with a linen cloth
Why is linen the best material for glass polishing cloths?
They will not leave lint or fluff behind in the glass
