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Glasses, Temperature, and Wine Decanting

Glasses, Temperature, and Wine Decanting

Truly good wine does not reveal its secrets immediately – it must be approached with respect and attention. Proper serving is a key part of the wine experience. Without the appropriate glass, ideal temperature, and – in some cases – decanting, even the highest quality wine can leave a pale impression.
Below, we will help you transform every sip into maximum pleasure.

The Right Glass – The Right Frame for Wine

A wine glass is not just an aesthetic accessory – it is a tool for discovering aromas and flavors. The shape of the glass directs aromas toward the nose and wine toward specific parts of the tongue, thereby enhancing the experience.

Basic types of glasses:

Red wines – wider glass with larger volume, allowing the wine to breathe and develop complex aromas (e.g., Burgundy or Bordeaux style glass).
White wines – narrower and smaller glass that preserves freshness and directs wine toward the front of the palate.
Rosé wines – medium-sized glass, often with a slightly open rim.
Sparkling wines – narrow and tall glass (flute) preserves bubbles, but modern practice increasingly uses wider tulip-shaped glasses that better express aroma.

Tip: always use clean, transparent glasses without engraving – wine is consumed with the eyes as well.

Ideal Wine Serving Temperature

Temperature has an enormous impact on the expression of wine’s taste and aroma. If wine is too warm, alcohol dominates. If it is too cold, aromas are “locked away.”

Recommended temperatures:

• Sparkling wines: 6 – 8°C
• Light white wines: 8 – 10°C
• Full-bodied white wines (e.g., barrel-aged chardonnay): 10 – 12°C
• Rosé wines: 8 – 10°C
• Light red wines (e.g., pinot noir): 14 – 16°C
• Full-bodied red wines (e.g., cabernet sauvignon, syrah): 16 – 18°C

Tip: leave wine from the refrigerator out for 10 minutes before serving. Chill red wine at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

Decanting – Let the Wine “Breathe”

Decanting means carefully pouring wine from the bottle into a special vessel (decanter). This is done for two reasons:

• Separation from sediment (especially with older wines)
• Aeration – contact with air helps young, closed wines to “breathe” and develop their full potential


When to decant wine?

• Older red wines – decant immediately before serving (very carefully)
• Young, complex red wines – decant 30–60 minutes before serving
• Sometimes white wines, especially those fermented in wood, can benefit from brief aeration

Visual bonus: serving wine from an elegant decanter leaves a strong aesthetic impression.

Wine Storage – Part of the Ritual

Proper serving does not end in the glass – how you store wine before and after opening is also important:

• Keep away from light and heat
• Horizontally if it has a cork stopper
• Ideally: 12 – 14°C, with slight humidity
• Store opened wines using a vacuum stopper or in the refrigerator

Conclusion

Enjoying wine does not begin with opening the bottle, but with understanding how to serve it properly. The right glass, proper temperature, and – when necessary – decanting can elevate wine by two levels.

We do not create a ritual from wine to complicate things, but because this way we extract the best from every bottle.
So next time you open wine, do not rush. Choose a glass, prepare the temperature, perhaps a decanter as well, and enjoy. Every bottle has its story, and you are the one who gives it a voice.

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