The Rules...

There is so much pomp and circumstance surrounding wine - that it's almost comical. It must be served in this wine glass at that temperature - and don't even think about drinking that with fish. But how much of this horse and pony show actually improves the experience of drinking wine? Is there method behind the madness or is everybody just drinking…ummm…the Koolaid?

Turns out the answer is yes and yes.

The temperature at which wine is served impacts the balance of the elements (fruit, tannins, acidity and alcohol) and affects the overall taste of the wine. Specially designed wine glasses can bring out the nuances of a wine or help a big red wine open up a little more. Drinking a full-bodied tannic red wine with a hearty protein like steak - softens tannins and brings out the fruit notes. These are little details that can make your wine shine but ultimately it's the big details that can take an ordinary wine experience and make it extraordinary. What these “rules” don't take into consideration is that wine is a personal AND social experience. Everybody has their own preferences and create their own guidelines based on what works for them. Wine is also meant to be shared - to be an element of a great night filled with good friends, bad jokes and take out sushi from Quan. Once you start stressing about the little details you lose what makes wine so special. So, we included below some tips to help you get the most out of your wine. Getting the most out of the experience…well that's up to you.

Wine Temperature:
Red wine should be served between 60 - 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
A big misconception is that red wine should be served at room temperature. That was true back in the castles of England a century ago - today however, most city apartments are probably closer to 80 degrees. The easy fix is to throw your bottle of red wine in a bucket of ice and water for 5 - 10 minutes prior to serving.

White wine should be served between 45 - 50 degrees. You're best bet is to put the wine in fridge for an hour or two prior to serving, or for a faster cool…throw it in a bucket of ice and water for 35 minutes.

Wine Glasses:
If you have lots of money burning a hole in your pocket by all means invest in the entire Riedel collection of wine glasses - but if you are looking for a multi-purpose glass suitable for red or white wine - go for a tulip shaped wine glass. That is a glass that has a nice bowl shape and is tapered at the top. (see image above)

When drinking from the glass - hold it by the stem. While that may seem slightly pretentious - it will keep you from heating the wine with your hands.

Wine Storage:
If you are anything like Gothamist, the wine is not left around long enough to store. But if you are planning on holding the wine for more than a week and don't have one of those fancy wine fridges - place the wine in the back of your closet on it's side. The key is keeping it in a cool, dark place and Gothamist has found the closet to work quite well. Do not keep the wine on your kitchen counter - regardless of how cute the wine rack is. The heat, vibrations and light will harm the wine.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Tamara Lover in Food on April 11, 2005 10:35 AM

Comments [rss]

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When we were touring the wineries in Napa Valley last fall, I noticed that it's a big deal to show the different tones that different wine glasses make, and a certain note indicates what wine should go in it.

It seemed interesting at first, but after hearing 10 or 20 wine glasses make a "C-sharp" note or a perfect "E" note, I started getting turned off by the whole scene. Made me want to drink pinot noir out of a dixie cup!

-MH

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toyochin

Forgive my heresy, but I'm perfectly happy with my $4-for-6 Ikea glasses. Not like most of you could tell the difference.

That way, I don't feel guilty if I happen to break a glass and I can spend the difference on better wine.

Max

Nice thing about (the more expensive) Riedel glasses is that they are still hand made. And when you see how perfect they are, it is a testament to the creativity and skill that still resides in the hands of craftsmen (in Europe).

One thing on glass shapes- the champagne flute actually does serve a function of holding the bubbles down and in (as would almost any regular glass)- never use those open or flared tacky champagne glasses- unless you like flat champagne.

KeithS

If you're looking for wine glasses, Amazon occasionally runs deals on Spieglau glasses, which are 80% as good as Riedel at about 40% of the price.

Tamara

ok, I give up.

Dirk

To further correct Gothamist. I believe the expression you're looking for is "D'Oh" not "Doe".

C. elegans

The stuff about wine glass shape is nonsense. Riedel and the others just want you to buy more glasses, and they sure do look pretty. But the idea of directing the wine to the right part of the palate is based on the old taste map of the tongue, where sweet is on the tip and salty on the side, or whatever. It's been discredited. We do have somewhat specialized taste buds, but they're evenly spread across the tongue. About the only glass shape issue is that you can get your nose further into a red wine balloon than a champagne flute.

Ron

I was having dinner with a person known as knowledgeable about wine (locally) and the chef of the restaurant was fussing over him and discussing various wines at our table. But when he felt the wine we were drinking was too warm, he reached into the ice bucket and plopped some cubes in his glass. See the shocked expression of the chef, he looked him in the eye and, snapping his fingers, said "That for rules."

I still use that phrase today...