Storage and Service of Wine

Question 1

Why should wines sealed with cork be stored on their sides?

Answer 1

To ensure cork stays in contact with the wine and remains moist. If the cork dries out, it can let air into the bottle which will make the wine taste stale and old.

Question 2

When serving wine, what steps should you take to ensure wine tastes it’s best?

Answer 2

• Check appearance of wine. Haziness can indicate that wine is faulty.
• Check there are no floating bits in wine
• Check aroma of wine. Should not smell stale or have aromas of wet cardboard or vinegar.

Question 3

Recommended service temp for :

• sweet wines (sauternes)
• Sparkling wines (champagne)
• Light-medium bodied white and rose (pinot grigio)
• Full-bodied whites (oaked chardonnay)
• Light-bodied red (beaujolais)
• Medium-full-bodied red (shiraz)

Answer 3

• Well chilled 6-8 degrees Celsius
• Well chilled 6-10
• Chilled 7-10
• Lightly chilled 10-13
• Room temp or lightly chilled 13-18
• Room temp 15-18