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