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Add flair to your entertaining repertoire by understanding
the do's and don'ts of serving wine.
DO
Do serve wine in any glass you want.
Although you may have heard that red wines should be served
in round, deep glasses and white wines in tall, steep glasses,
the glass is not the thing! Serve your Pinot Grigio in whichever
glass you prefer—whether tall or short, delicate or sturdy,
pretty or swanky! In Italy, for example, some wineglasses don't
even have stems, meaning that many Italians are sipping Pinot
Grigio from a glass resembling a small U.S. juice glass!
Do learn how to open wine elegantly.
Know your corkscrew when entertaining guests. For the grand
opening, choose a trusted corkscrew that works for you rather
than a new one. Also remember, it's always a good idea to have
a back-up corkscrew on hand. Today there are many different
types of corkscrews available—some with arms, some with
legs. With all these twists and turns in design, the corkscrew
can be an expression of your personal style!
Do serve Pinot Grigio in place of sparkling wines.
Not only is chic Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio a fabulous alternative
to the sparkling wines and champagnes used for toasts, but the
wine is also a great complement to hors d'oeuvres and party
snacks!
Do store wine in the fridge and use the leftovers.
Opened wine can be stored for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
Invite your friends over the evening after the party to help
finish off the leftovers!
DON'T
Don't run out of wine.
Be sure to get a good estimate of the number of sippers to plan
accordingly for wine purchases. One bottle of wine fills about
4-5 glasses. Remember that glasses should be approximately
2/3 full. While many guests will gladly enjoy another glass,
it is proper wine-serving etiquette to always ask their permission
before refilling glasses!
Don't spill red wine on your guests or table linens.
Have you ever wondered exactly how waiters can pour wine so
cleanly and effortlessly? For a tidy serve, simply end the pour
with a slight twist. Just in case of dripping, it never hurts
to have a napkin within reach!
Don't get overwhelmed by food and wine pairings.
Experiment with wine and food pairings. As a general rule, dark
wines go with heavier foods and lighter wines go well with lighter
foods. Chianti and Pinot Grigio are perfect examples; pair a
crisp Pinot Grigio with dishes such as seafood, poultry and
vegetables. While a rich, fruit forward Chianti goes best with
any type of pasta, game or beef.
Don't serve just two varietals.
Mix it up a little! Have several types of wine on hand- you'll
be increasing everyone's wine savviness by exposing your guests
to new wines. Offer several red varietals such as Merlot, Chianti
and Sangiovese as your red wine selections.
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