1. Choose the right glass
It can be easy to think that once you’ve poured your wine, it’ll taste the same regardless of the glass you drink it from.
But that’s just not true.
Once your wine is out of the bottle and exposed to air, it interacts with oxygen, which can change its aromas and taste. It’s surprisingly helpful to have the correct glass to serve your wine since this will control how much oxygen it’s exposed to. With the right glass, you can draw out all the wonderful flavours and aromas you won’t want to miss.
Bonus wine tip! While certain wines suit specific glasses, opting for a universal-style wine glass will benefit a wide variety of wines – tulip-shaped is best with a medium-sized bowl, tapering towards the top to deliver maximum aromas up to your nose.
3. Serve your wine at the right temperature
Does the temperature that you serve wine at really matter?
Most of us agree that things taste differently when too warm or too cold. For example, melting ice cream tastes sweeter and warm beer tastes bitter – neither of which is particularly brilliant for your tastebuds.
In the same way, the temperature of your wine has a significant effect on its aroma, taste and texture. So, to get the best taste out of your wine, make sure you serve it at the ideal temperature. This will depend on the type of wine, but in general, red wines should be served closer to room temperature, whereas white and rosé wines are much better when chilled.
There is a bit of variation to play with, of course. Light reds, with none of those tooth-furring tannins that heavier styles often have, can be lightly chilled or served cellar cool, while richer whites, often from classic regions like Burgundy, don’t want to be overchilled, otherwise it’s easy to miss all their subtle flavours.
5. Store your wine properly
Storing wine is more than stashing it in a cupboard until you want to drink it. How wine is stored can impact taste and is one of our more practical wine tips.
The general rule for all wine styles is to store your bottles in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight. A stable temperature will help preserve your wine’s aromas and flavours for longer.
A cellar is naturally the optimum solution, but a rack under the stairs works well, in a cupboard or tucked away in a cool room. Never next to a radiator! You can use a wine fridge or cooler to store wine at a suitable temperature if you’re lucky enough to have one.
Ideally, store bottles with corks horizontally. This is less important if you plan to enjoy your wine in the next few months, but those that are for keeping – six months to a year-plus – are best stored lying down so the cork stays damp. Bottles with screwcaps can be stored upright or horizontally, it's up to you.
7. Make a note of the wines you like
As you sample and savour different wines, it can be easy to lose track of what you’ve liked or even what you’ve tried. The best remedy is to write them down or take a photo of the label.
Ideally, note the name of each wine you’ve tasted to help you choose new, future wines and write down a brief taste impression.
8. Don’t be afraid to try something new
Considering how many grape varieties and styles of wine are available, it’s great to grab any opportunity to experiment with something new. The best way to learn about wine and discover what you like is through tasting different types, so don’t be afraid to pick up a wine you’ve never tried before and give it a go.
If you ever find yourself yearning for a specific type of wine, but not knowing how to ask for it, then our Styles guide is for you. Visit our jargon-free zone for a helping hand finding exactly the wines you like - while avoiding the ones you don’t.
