TK Mehlhaff
TK (she/her) is part of our wonderful wine team and has her WSET Level 2 Certification in Wines. Thank god, wine is gluten free! TK is proudly Deaf & an LGTBQ ally, and can communicate with you either in sign language or with her phone's text notes. She enjoys learning about wines and how they pair with food, and off duty, is a dog mama and loves to spoil her fur baby, Marv.
With Thanksgiving coming up in less than a week, we wanted to take some time to talk about serving wine to guests. It can be intimidating at first, you might wonder if you’re doing it right. And common missteps, like serving red wine too warm or overfilling glasses, can impact the wine’s aroma and flavor. Thankfully, mastering wine service is simpler than it seems. With a few easy tips, you’ll be serving wine with confidence in no time. So here’s a straightforward guide to help you feel more at ease.
Getting Ready
Step 1: Set up a welcoming atmosphere.
Make sure your glasses are clean and ready.
While certain styles of wines are traditionally served in specific glass shapes—larger bowls for reds and smaller ones for whites—using a single type of glass is perfectly acceptable. Don’t let glassware hold you back.
Choosing & Presenting Your Wine
As the host, choose wines that will compliment the food you’re serving. Light white wines, like Sauvignon Blanc, pair well with fish or salads, while bold reds, like Cabernet Sauvignon, are great with meats and richer dishes. Sparkling wine is a fun way to start the evening and pairs with almost every food!
When presenting a bottle to your guests, hold or set down the bottle so that they can see the label. If you’re getting fancy, announce the name, vineyard, and year for a nice touch of elegance.
*If you want to learn more about wine pairings, read our guide HERE!
Opening the Wine
For corked bottles, use a simple corkscrew. Cut the foil around the top, place the corkscrew in the center of the cork, and twist down, leaving one coil out to avoid breaking the cork.
For sparkling wine, hold the bottle at a 45° angle, loosen the cage, and twist the bottle (not the cork) gently until it opens with a quiet pop. Take a look at our guide HERE.
Pouring Wine
Pour a small amount for your guest to taste first. Let them swirl, sniff, and taste. If they approve, pour each glass about one-third full to leave room for swirling. A standard serving is about 5oz. For sparkling wine, pour slowly to preserve the bubbles.
Temperature
Serving wine at the right temperature enhances the flavors and aromas. Reds are best around 60-65°F (room temperature), while whites and rosés taste better at 45-50°F. Sparkling wines should be well-chilled, around 40°F – straight out of the refrigerator.
Final Notes
Wine service should be enjoyable, so keep it relaxed. Wine can spark conversation, just like a great book. It can liven the room, the mood, the meal. Your guests will feel at ease and excited about the wine if you are. Follow these steps, and you’ll be a great host in no time.
Cheers!
