Preparing the Wine

Before the first guest arrives at your wine tasting, follow these guidelines to serve the featured wines at their optimal temperature and open each bottle with the ease of a seasoned sommelier.

The temperature of a wine dramatically impacts its taste, so proper cooling of your favorite wines is essential. Whether you have a custom cellar in your basement or a wine rack in your dining room, follow these tips on maintaining the optimal temperature for each varietal.

Room Temperature
65°F (18°C) is considered "room temperature" and is appropriate for medium- to full-bodied red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cellar Temperature
57°F (14°C) is considered "slightly chilled" or "cellar temperature" and is appropriate for full-bodied white wines, such as Chardonnay, and light-bodied red wines, such as Pinot Noir. If you chill one of these wines in the refrigerator, let the bottle stand at room temperature for about 45 minutes before serving.

Chilled
52°F (11°C) is considered "chilled". This temperature is appropriate for light- to medium-bodied white wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Most refrigerators are set at 40°F (4°C), so let refrigerated wines stand at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Opening and Serving Wine

Does the thought of opening a bottle of wine conjure up images of a monumental stand-off between you and the cork? You're not the only host to experience the anxiety of uncorking a stubborn bottle as your guests look on with bated breath. Master the tricks of the trade and effortlessly conquer your next cork with our simple, step-by-step guide.

Tip: Before you open and serve a bottle of wine, make sure it has been stored at the proper temperature.

Using a traditional waiter's corkscrew:

1.  Rest the blade of the corkscrew on the capsule or foil, just below the rim of the bottle. Rotate the bottle to cut the capsule, completing a full circle around the rim of the bottle. Remove the capsule and throw it away.
2. Insert the metal point of the corkscrew into the center of the cork and begin twisting downward. As you twist, the corkscrew will continue to center itself in the cork.
3. Continue twisting until one loop of the corkscrew remains exposed.
4. Place the notch of the corkscrew's lever onto the lip of the bottle. To avoid chipping the glass, make sure the whole notch is touching the lip of the bottle. Use your free hand to stabilize the bottle and keep the lever in place.
5. Lift the lever and slowly extract the cork about two-thirds of the way out of the bottle. To prevent the cork from breaking, leave a portion of it in the bottle.
6. Hold the cork with your thumb and forefinger, and gently remove the remaining portion from the neck of the bottle.
7. Use a napkin to wipe off the top of the bottle. Remove any cork residue.
8. Pour yourself a glass of wine!