How should wine be served?

Dinner is ready, your guests are about to arrive and you’re wondering how to serve the wine with the meal. Maison Calvet gives you all the important things to remember, as well as a few rules of etiquette in order to serve in style.

What is the ideal temperature for serving wine with a meal?

When served with a meal, the temperature of the wine should not be too warm or too cold. If it is too warm, the aromas and flavours will be distorted and the alcohol will emerge at the end of the palate (as the wine will be destructured). Conversely, if the wine is too cold, it will be difficult to appreciate its aromas.

In general, a red wine should be served between 14 and 18 degrees, whereas a white wine should be between 10 and 12 degrees and a rosé between 8 and 10 degrees. If in doubt, it is always better to serve wine a little cooler than too warm with a meal.

How should you serve the wine in a glass?

Before serving the wine at the table, it is recommended that you leave the bottle upright for 24 hours to make it easier for the solid particles to settle at the bottom of the bottle.
At the time of serving, etiquette dictates that you should not make any noise when opening a bottle at the table.

When and how should you decant a wine properly?

Decanting a wine separates the suspended solids from the liquid so that it does not interfere with tasting, but also improves its aromas. Decant when serving the wine at the table, by pouring it into a narrow carafe.

To speed up the process more easily, you can also use a wine aerator.
However, be careful not to aerate a wine for too long, as this may lead to premature oxidation.