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Wine Glasses · Temperature · Decanting Wine · Wines for Occasions · Wine Defects · Pairing Food and Wine · Proper Storage · Opening a Bottle
Wine Glasses
The glass you choose matters more than you might think — its shape directs the wine's aromas toward your nose and affects how it hits your palate. These articles explain what to look for and how to get the most out of whatever glasses you have.
Can a Wine Glass Make Your Wine Taste Better?
What's the Best Type of Wine Glass?
Why Choose a Wine Glass with a Stem?
Do You Need a Different Wine Glass for Each Varietal of Wine?
Why Do People Hold their Wine Glass by the Base?
Should You Rinse a Wine Glass When Switching Wine Types?
How to “Prime” or “Season” a Wine Glass
A Simple Way to Pour Just the Right Amount of Wine in a Glass
Properly Pouring the Right Amount in a Glass Enhances the Wine’s Flavor
Cleaning Wine Glasses
Ideally, all you need to do is wash a wine glass in warm water and dry with a dry lint-free cloth
If you must use any type of soap or detergent, ensure that the glass is very well rinsed so that there is absolutely no film or residue remaining that could affect the fragrance or flavor of the wine the next time that it is used
Always fully dry the glass and ensure there is no remaining cloudiness on the glass. For proper presentation, you want it to be sparkling clean.
How Many Glasses of Wine are there in a Bottle?
A standard 750 ml bottle of wine (25.3 oz) contains five 5 oz glasses of wine
Temperature
Serving temperature is one of the most overlooked factors in wine enjoyment, and one of the easiest to get right. Red wines served too warm taste flabby and alcoholic; white wines served too cold taste flat and muted — these articles help you find the sweet spot.
Wine -- Too Warm? Too Cold? Or Just Right?
Do White Wines Have to be Chilled?
Freezing Wine and Defrosting in a Microwave
The Serving Temperature Can Greatly Affect How Your Wine Tastes
Want Your White Wine to Have More Flavor? Don't Serve it So Cold!
Decanting Wine
Decanting isn't just a formality for old bottles — it can genuinely transform how a wine tastes by allowing it to breathe and releasing its full range of aromas. These articles explain when decanting helps, when it doesn't, and how to do it well.
Does a Wine Need to Breathe Before Being Served?
Decanting versus Aerating a Wine
Dealing with a Highly Tannic Wine
The Best Type of Decanter for Wine
Should You Decant a White Wine?
Should You Decant a Sparkling Wine?
Should You Decant a Wine, Use an Aerator or a Blender?
Tips for Keeping Wine Cool While Decanting
Wines for Occasions
Some wines are just right for a particular moment. These articles offer a few occasion-specific suggestions to point you in the right direction.
Wine Defects
Not every bottle is perfect — wines can go bad from oxidation, a faulty cork, improper storage, or other causes. These articles help you recognize when something's off and understand what went wrong.
The Various Ways that Wines Can Go Bad
Ever Wonder Why Wine Turns Brown?
How to Know When Your Wine Has Gone Bad
How to Tell if Your Wine is Oxidized
What is that ‘Stuff’ in the Bottom of your Wine Glass?
Pouring the Last Glass of Wine from a Bottle? Be Careful!
What to Do About Sediment in Wine
Pairing Food and Wine
Wine and food have a natural affinity — the right pairing can make both taste better than either would alone. These articles cover the basics of matching wine to food without overcomplicating it.
Food and Wine Pairing: Just the Basics
What Does it Mean for a Wine to be Called Food Friendly?
Best Wines to Pair with Your Thanksgiving Meal
Pair Your Thanksgiving Wines with the Side Dishes, Not the Turkey
Proper Storage
How and where you store wine — both before and after opening — has a real impact on how it tastes. These articles cover the essentials, from keeping an unopened bottle in good condition to making the most of a half-finished one.
Proper Storage Begins at the Store
Opening a Bottle
Opening a bottle of wine should be simple, but there's a right way to do it — especially with sparkling wines or wax-sealed bottles. These articles walk you through the process and help you avoid the most common mishaps.
The Best Way to Remove the Foil from a Wine Bottle
Opening a Bottle of Champagne or Sparkling Wine
How to Open a Bottle that has a Wax Seal over the Cork
The Best Type of Wine Opener: A Double-Hinged Waiter's Corkscrew
