Etiquette is a word that can often have negative associations. It can represent a common code that may feel akin to being constrained by rules, and who wants to live life by the rules?
While some rules are made to be broken, some are there to enhance life. Here at Two Tails whether you’re drinking our excellent Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris or Pinot Noir, we want you to enjoy your wine and to help you enhance every sip we’ve composed a list of four simple wine etiquette tips to observe.
- Temperature matters – Serving your wine at the optimum temperature will ensure you enjoy the aromas and flavours that are unique to that particular wine. With each of our wines, you’ll find we recommend the perfect temperature for serving on our website; from the menu select the varietal you’re drinking, then the vintage and you’ll be able to view the tasting notes that will give you this valuable information.
- Choose your glass wisely – One sized glass is not ideal for all styles of wine; a wine’s bouquet, taste, balance and finish are all affected by the shape of the glass from which it is consumed. A wine will display completely different characteristics when served in different glasses.
- And pour appropriately – Don’t be tempted to show your guests your generous side by overfilling their glass. There are a couple of reasons for this; if you’re serving white wine it will warm up in the glass as they drink, but you also want to allow your guest’s wine the opportunity to breathe in the glass, releasing the aromas and flavours. No matter what varietal your serving or what wine glass you’re using, never fill it more than half full.
- Hold your glass by the stem – Here at Two Tails, we’re not keen on those fancy schmancy tumblers that are used in a certain style of dining establishment. We like a wine glass with a stem to hold on to! It ensures that your white wine doesn’t get too warm as you hold it and prevents your glassware smudging with fingerprints, so you can observe the beautiful colour of the wine you’re drinking. Remember wine should be a feast for your senses!