The art of serving wine allows you to preserve its qualities and also make a great impression on your guests. This article aims to be a simple and smart guide for serving a good glass of wine correctly. The ideal service requires the wine to be served at the right temperature and kept on the table or in a wine cooler depending on the type.
You will find tips, suggestions, and useful advice to serve a good glass of wine impeccably.
The Mise en Place: no doubts
The mise en place is the first thing guests notice: a well-organized table communicates care and adds sophistication. But do you know which glasses to use and, above all, where to place them?
- Important Reds require a large, round glass to favor oxygenation.
- Young Reds should be served in a more vertical glass to concentrate the fruity aromas.
- Whites and Rosés are ideal in tulip-shaped glasses, elegant and perfect for enhancing freshness and aromas.
- Sparkling Wines are best enjoyed in flutes or tulip glasses to preserve the perlage and direct the aromas toward the nose.
Where to place the glasses
Glasses should be placed to the right of the plate, usually from largest to smallest, according to the sequence of wines served. For example, if the dinner includes multiple wines, you can create an orderly sequence: red, white, sparkling, dessert.
The perfect temperature for each type of Wine
Temperature is a key element to consider when serving wine correctly. Each wine has specific characteristics that require different temperatures:
- Light and fresh white wines such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, should be served at 8-10°C;
- Structured white wines like oaked Chardonnay, Fiano, or Viognier, and rosés express their best flavors at 10-12°C;
- Sparkling wines should be served well chilled, around 6-8°C, including Prosecco, Champagne, Franciacorta;
- Young and fruity reds, such as Barbera, Dolcetto, Valpolicella, shine at 12-14°C;
- Structured and aged reds need higher temperatures, about 16-18°C, for example Barolo, Brunello, Amarone.
Tips before serving
Before serving a wine, it is essential to check that it has reached the ideal temperature. Aged wines benefit from some oxygenation: opening the bottle an hour in advance or decanting it can help enhance its complex aromas.
As for sparkling wines, no rushed gestures: if stored horizontally, it is preferable to let them rest vertically for at least 15 minutes before opening to avoid excessive effervescence.
What to do after serving Wine at the table
Once served, people often wonder how or where to place the wine during a meal. This detail should not be overlooked, as it allows the wine to maintain the ideal temperature and continue to be enjoyed at its best.
White and Rosé Wines
Whites and rosés perform best when well chilled so it is ideal to keep them in a wine cooler with ice and water to preserve their liveliness throughout the meal.
Red Wines
Red wines, in general, require higher temperatures to express their characteristics and can safely remain on the table.
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wines, Champagne, and similar wines should be served well chilled and kept in a cooler to maintain effervescence.
hOn, Your digital Sommelier
Attentive service allows you to capture all the nuances of wine.
The hOn app proves to be a valuable ally in this journey. By downloading the hOn app, you have a virtual wine cellar where you can catalog your bottles simply by scanning the label. You can also add notes, details, and receive guidance on ideal pairings and storage times.
An intelligent sommelier to fully experience wine culture with greater awareness and pleasure.
