What’s the best temperature to serve this wine?
White wines, rose, sparkling wines, and champagnes all taste better at temperatures slightly higher than most refrigerators. For lighter bodied wines such as Chablis, Chenin Blancs, Rieslings, and Sauvignon Blancs, the best temperature is around 45 degrees. Fuller bodied whites like Chardonnays show much better at 55 degrees.
The best serving temperature for red wines follows a similar philosophy as whites with a differentiation made between lighter bodied versus fuller bodied reds. Lighter bodied reds such as Merlots taste best when served around 50 degrees. Fuller bodied reds such as Cabernets, Zinfandels, Shiraz/Syrah, Rhones, and Bordeaux are at their best at 60 degrees.
Temperatures are simple to manage in order to get the best tasting profile for your selection. For whites, simply remove from the refrigerator a bit before serving and don’t keep them submerged in an ice bucket at the table. If you need to chill a white or red from room temperature several minutes in ice water will get it down to temperature quickly, allowing the whites a few minutes longer.
How many glasses of wine are in a regular size bottle (750 ml.)?
Practically speaking there are about 25 ounces of wine in each 750 ml. bottle. A regular size wine glass is usually 6 1/2 ounces which means that you will get around 5 glasses per bottle if you’re averaging 5 ounce pours.
When trying different champagnes or sparkling wines? What is the difference between Brut and Extra Dry?
The French definition of Brut or “dry” means that it is unmodified from its original structure and has no sugar mixture. It is the driest a sparkling wine can be. Extra Dry means that a sugar mix has been introduced and thus the sparkling wine or champagne is slightly sweeter than Brut.
How long will this bottle be good after I open it? What can be done to make it last longer?
Exposure to the air is what causes great things to happen to wine as well as some things not so great! When first opened, the wine is exposed to air and it helps the wine release its aromas and flavors. Unfortunately, after a period of time the continual exposure will cause the wine to begin to deteriorate. The best bet is to remove the exposure to the air by simply replacing the cork. The wine in your glass will continue to develop its flavors and aromas by swirling the wine in your glass. If you want the wine in the bottle to last longer put it in the refrigerator – cold slows the deterioration process.
Is price any indicator of the wines quality?
No. Like other things in life, the price of a wine is determined by the cost to produce, supply and demand, scarcity, and reputation. The difference between a bottle of Opus One and a bottle of Barefoot is the same as the difference between a Rolls Royce and a Chevy Impala. Ultimately only you, the wine consumer can really judge the value of the wines you drink and the price you paid for it.
When making your selections, keep in mind that wines from different countries will have different values based on production costs, land and labor costs, market demand, exchange rates, etc. Therefore, wines can be undervalued just as easily as being overpriced. Currently, there are some excellent wines being made in Argentina, Chile, Spain, and Portugal. These wines do not command the prices that wines from more established countries like France, Italy, or the United States do.
If you want the best value for your money, look to the newer emerging wineries and countries as mentioned above. Part of the enjoyment of wine is being able to sense what makes that wine interesting, different, and good to you. Knowing what you like and why are helpful when looking at the better values, presented by excellent wines from emerging countries.
Does a screw top wine closure mean it's a cheap wine?
Absolutely not! What it does mean is a much better seal and less chance of spoiling before it ever gets to you. Cork is a natural wood product and must be cleaned with a chlorine compound before it is put to use. Sometimes this compound lingers in parts of the cork and can, over time, contaminate the wine. If you have ever opened a bottle of wine and it smelled really bad, then you have experienced a tainted wine. Hence the nickname “corked”meaning the wine has spoiled because of the deterioration of the cork. Sometimes it may simply come across as a bad tasting wine and you think the winery is simply producing a bad wine, hurting the reputation of the winery and future sales.
A much better alternative is the screw cap (also known as a Stelvin enclosure). The screw tops have been tested by winemakers around the world for up to 10 years with no deterioration or other influence on the wine inside. The wine retains its flavor and aroma and can be easily resealed in your refrigerator with no drip! Remember that you no longer need to fight with a corkscrew and you’re quickly ready to fully enjoy the great wine you have selected for the evening.
Beach Liquors carries a wide selection of wines, spirits, and beers – including craft beers, serving Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Panama City, Crestview & beyond.
