Byrons Liquor - WINE QUESTIONS

F.A.Q.'S: WINE

Q: How do you tell if a wine is too old to drink?

ANSWER: Contact with air, or "oxidization", spoils wine and is caused when a wine has been open for too long, has an ill-fitting cork or is simply too old. It is easy to spot; on the nose the wine will have a sherry-like smell and will taste dull and lifeless. Red wines will be dull brown in color, and White wines will turn a tawny or brown color.

Q: How many guests will one bottle of wine serve?

ANSWER: Approximately five to six servings. A standard wine glass holds approximately 6 ounces.

Q: How long can I keep wine once I have opened the bottle?

ANSWER: The easiest thing to do is simply re-cork the bottle, put it in the fridge and drink it within a day or two. It takes a week or so for wine to really start going bad. Letting a bottle sit out for a few days will not ruin it. However, after a few days a wine will lose its flavor and begin to go flat. The best, and most difficult, way to maintain a bottle after it's been opened is to use an inert gas that puts a protective layer between the wine and oxygen. A more practical way to keep your better wines for a few days is to use a pump (that we sell in our stores) that removes the oxygen from the bottle.

Q: How should I order wine in a restaurant?

ANSWER: Make use of the advice of the wine waiter or Sommelier, if there is one. First choose your food and then decide on your wines. 1. When the bottle arrives, check the following; vintage (often changed without warning), name of the wine, producer. 2. Check that the temperature is satisfactory. It is better for both reds and whites to be too cold than too warm. Don't be embarrassed to ask for an ice bucket to chill both whites and reds. 3. Make sure that each bottle is opened in front of you and that if red wines can be decanted at the table. This shouldn't be a problem. 4. When invited to taste the wine, do so. Don't be rushed, do the following: look at it (it should be clear and bright), smell it (it should smell clean and fresh), taste it (it should have no off-flavors). 5. If there is anything wrong, don't hesitate in saying so immediately.

Q: Should I chill red wine?

ANSWER: If you want to! Most red wines in the US are served too warm. 60-65?F is ideal for all red wine, that's "cellar temperature". If you like it colder than that, select lighter bodied wines like Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Loire Valley Reds for chilling. The best way to chill a wine is to put it in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes. Please don't put ice cubes in the class, unless of course you're drinking a Sangria.

Q: What is a wine blend?

ANSWER: A wine may be a blend of different grape varieties, such as a blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. or It may be a blend of the same grape variety from different vineyard sites, or even the same grape variety handled differently during winemaking. In most cases, the goal of blending is to create a wine that is better than the sum of its parts.

Q: Why are many wines aged in oak barrels?

ANSWER: Firstly, wood, unlike concrete or stainless steel, is porous and consequently allows the wine to be subjected to controlled oxidation. This leads to the tannins softening over time and the wine becoming more fully integrated. Secondly, it is used to impart a flavor and taste to a wine when used judiciously.