Serving wine properly enhances its flavor and overall experience. Here is a quick guide to the wine serving etiquette.

Wine Serving Etiquette

Temperature

• Serve white wines chilled and red wines slightly below room temperature
• Sparkling wines and roses are best served chilled
• Serve white wines chilled (around 45-55°F or 7-13°C).
• Serve red wines slightly below room temperature (around 60-68°F or 15-20°C).
• Serve sparkling wines very chilled (around 40-45°F or 4-7°C).

Decanting

• Almost all wines benefit from decanting.
• Decanting enhances the flavor of the wine by exposing it to fresh air
• Decant red wines, especially older or full-bodied varieties, to remove sediments
• Carefully pour the wine into a decanter and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes

Glassware

• Use the appropriate glass for each type of wine (red, white, sparkling)
• Ensure glasses are clean and free of spots

Pouring

• Serve wine from the guest’s right side
• Hold the bottle at the base or the neck, pouring gently
• Hold the bottle so the label is visible to the guest
• Fill the glass to about one-third full to give the wine room to breathe
• Twist the bottle slightly at the end to avoid spillage
• Hold the napkin in your left hand to catch any drips

Serving Order

• Begin serving in a clockwise direction around the table
• Serve ladies first, then men, in order of age or importance
• Always serve the host (yourself) last
• In casual settings, guests can serve themselves or be served as they prefer

Tasting

• Swirl the wine gently in your glass to release its aromas
• Take small sips to appreciate the taste

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