Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash
Let’s face it, sometimes it’s just fun to be a bit fancy! But fancy doesn’t always have to be so… what’s the word…? (Bourgeois! Bougie!) In fact, when it comes to serving wine to your guests, it’s quite chic to host them in a more subtle way that makes them feel well taken care of. Read on to learn about some chic, but stealthy, wine service moves.
“People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou, American Memoirist and Poet
Have you ever ordered a bottle of wine at a restaurant and were amazed at how gracefully and effortlessly you were served? The care the wait staff took in handling the bottle and pouring it into your glass – it made you feel kind of special, right? The way you handle serving wine can not only communicate to your guests that they are honored and appreciated, but it can also set the stage for making wine a focal point of the dining experience.
Stealthy Tip #1: Make Cork Pulling an Event
A favorite tool in restaurants/bars is the “Waiter’s Friend.” You know the one we’re referring to. It’s that Swiss army knife-looking thing in your kitchen drawer that you received as a gift, but never learned how to use because it looks intimidating. Yes, that’s the one! Well, would you like to learn how to use it like a pro? Watch this video for a step-by-step demonstration.
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The Waiter’s Friend corkscrew is such a simple tool and, when used properly, it makes pulling a cork relatively effortless. It also makes the cork-puller appear quite competent, right? Unscrew the cork from the worm and set it aside, in case you don’t finish the bottle and may need it to save the rest for later. Now you are ready to pour!
PRO TIP: After pulling the cork, give it a quick smell to make sure it doesn’t have any off-putting odor (if it does, that’s an indication that the wine could have gone bad).
Stealthy Tip #2: Serve in the Proper Glass
You may have noticed when shopping for wine glasses that they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Did you know that, actually, these were designed for specific types of wine? In fact, the shape of the glass enhances the wine tasting experience, when using it with the right wine. The smaller, thinner glasses are used for the lighter whites; and as the glasses increase in size and width, so does the heaviness and complexity of the wine. It’s a bit scientific, but the bottom line is that the shape maximizes the aromas and flavors of the wine they are designed for. Here’s a visual to guide your selection.
PRO TIP: Opt for glasses with stems so that as your guests are sipping their wine, they aren’t inadvertently warming it with their hands. Yes, temperature does affect the wine’s aromas and flavors, too!
Stealthy Tip #3: Taste Before Committing
It goes without saying that everyone has a different palate and sensitivity to flavors and aromas. So why not have your guests try the wine before committing to a whole glass? Heck, why not have them try all the bottles that are open and choose their favorite one? (Wait… has this turned into an article on hosting a wine tasting? Perhaps so!) If pouring multiple tastings, you should know that there is an order to pouring and tasting, so that the wines don’t clash with each other. The general rule is to pour lighter whites first, then heavier whites, then lighter reds, and heavier reds last.
PRO TIP: When pouring wine, hold the bottle from the base (instead of the neck), with the label facing your guest. It just looks more visually appealing and your guest can read/admire the label while being served!
So, are you ready to put your stealthy wine service moves into practice? Post in comments below how your guests responded. Cheers!
