Digi Bits

Friday, September 30, 2005

Wine FAQ

When it comes to wine, the more you know, the more you can enjoy. To some, wine is just fancy grape juice, but to other’s wine can be so complex that the more you know, the more you can appreciate. This is why connoisseurs of wine take everything regarding wine very seriously. If you starting or have a small collection of wine, here are some tips to enjoy your bottles.

Most people open a brand new bottle of wine only to pour a glass or two. How do make wine last longer? Most wine can be kept in the refrigerator for a few days once it is opened. However, the cork must be returned to the bottle immediately after opening. You can pour the wine in a smaller bottle and cork it. The smaller the bottle the less oxygen and impurities will be present to spoil the wine. There are products on the market that can extend the life of wine. One product is a vacuum device that sucks all the oxygen out of the bottle and corks it tightly. Lastly there are inert gases that are used to fill the remaining of the wine bottle keeping out any oxygen. Usually this technique can be costly and often reserved for more expensive bottles of wine.

Another commonly asked question is at what temperature should wine be served. Well that depends on the type of wine. White wine, especially light white wine should be served at about 45 degrees. Fuller white wine can be served at a higher temperature at around 55 degrees. Red wines are served at around 65. Many people however do like there red wine a little cooler at maybe 60.

What should I do if during the opening process pieces of the cork fall into the wine? Not to worry, if very small pieces fall into the wine, it should not affect the taste, however if larger pieces or chunks fall in, just use a wine decanter. Salute!