FAQs About Wine

Wine is one of the most studied and scrutinized beverages in the world, but those of us who are not experts can easily be overwhelmed by the amount of information available. If you are new to the wine world, here is a good place to start.

At what temperature should I serve wine?

Unfortunately, there is no standard temperature that every wine is best served at. As a rule of thumb, experts agree that red wines should be served at a higher temperature than white wines, which should be served at a higher temperature than sparkling wines. Here is a great chart from BetterTastingWine.com which goes into more detail.

In what order should I serve my wines?

When serving multiple wines, adhere to these guidelines in order to acclimate your taste buds to the increasing strength and complexity of flavor:

• Dry before sweet
• White before red
• Light before heavy
• Young before old

What does it mean to let wine “breathe”? Should I do it?

The process of letting wine breathe simply means exposing it to oxygen before you drink it. This isn't necessary for most white wines, but some red wines can benefit from this. Opening the bottle roughly one hour before consuming it will make the wine smoother and more aromatic for the drinker.

How long do I have to drink my wine after the bottle is opened?

Most wines will last between three days and a week after opening if the storage conditions are right. Limiting your leftover wine's exposure to heat, light, and air is essential to keeping it fresh; your refrigerator should do a decent job at that.

How many grapes go into a bottle of wine?

According to Round Barn Winery, the average bottle of wine contains 177 grapes, or roughly 2½ pounds worth.

What is the best way to store wines if I don't want to invest in a wine cellar?

If you enjoy the occasional bottle of wine, but are far from a connoisseur, you may be wondering how to best store your bottles. If you are looking for a good storage system that won't set you back thousands of dollars, invest in a wine cooler. These mini fridge-lookalikes are specially designed for storing between 6-12 bottles of wine and can be purchased for less than $200.

If you live in New York and are having trouble with your wine cooler, Speedy Subzero can repair it for a fraction of the cost of a new one! We offer one-hour service to Long Island, New York City, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. Schedule a same-day appointment with one of our highly-trained technicians by calling 866-782-9376.

References: 

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Round Barn Winery

Wine Storage Guide

Wine is unlike any other beverage in the world. Enthusiasts and connoisseurs constantly analyze and critique the flavors, aromas, and consistencies of wines from all over the world. In the eyes of these people, wine isn't just a drink, it is an art; and one with a precise set of rules and guidelines – especially when it comes to storage.

As the old proverb goes, wine gets better with age – but only when properly stored. Less-than-ideal temperatures and other storage condition can negatively affect the wine's integrity and ruin the bottle before you get a chance to open and enjoy it. Below is a chart that illustrates the ideal storage temperature for different types of wine, courtesy of BetterTasingWine.com.

Other Wine Storage Tips

• The above chart is a good guideline to follow, but it isn't the bible of wine storage. Generally speaking, storing your bottles anywhere between 45° and 65° will do the trick.
• More important than the exact temperature is the stability of it. Rapid or frequent fluctuations in temperature can damage the wine's taste.
• Light from the sun presents a problem for the long-term storage of wine. UV rays can penetrate the bottle and prematurely age the wine, which is why winemakers often use colored glass bottles.
• Storing wine on its side is not only an efficient way to use space, but it offers benefits to the wine's preservation as well. When stored like this, the wine is always in contact with the cork, which prevents it from drying out and allowing air to enter the bottle.

For amateur wine enthusiasts who don't want to invest in a full-blown cellar, wine refrigerators are the perfect option. These standalone units provide a sufficient place to store wine at a consistent temperature. If your wine refrigerator ever breaks down, you can trust the experts at Speedy Sub Zero to repair it. We have been serving Long Island and New York City for more than 60 years and provide 1-hour emergency service, so give us a call at 866-782-9376.