Sips and Tips
Guaranteed spectacular wines. Check.
The know-how to go with them. Check.
Wallet Locale & Year Guide
Pairing Guide
Tasting Party Sheet
Serving Temperature Guide
Serveware Tips
Storage Tips
You’re at a restaurant, looking at the wine list. Which wine do you pick? We’ll give you a hint: Just because it’s older, doesn’t mean it’s better.
Print our wallet guide, and you’ll always know the best years by locale.
Match by weight: A delicate fish? A light Pinot Gris. A spicy veal stew? A sultry Syrah. A New York Steak? A robust Cab.
Match by flavor: A mesquite-grilled steak sizzles with a smoky Shiraz. A mushroom soup is right at home with an earthy Pinot Noir.
Pair contrasting flavors: The sweetness of a Riesling is a great counterbalance for the spiciness of a Thai food dish, for example.
Match by region: Chianti (Sangiovese) with pasta or pizza is a sure bet.
Match by complexity: A rich casserole is well suited to a complex blend, like a Rhone or Bordeaux, while a refined poached salmon dish goes swimmingly with a Pinot Noir.
Print this guide and stick it to your fridge. It’s great for everyday reference — and even better as a dinner party secret weapon!
A blind tasting is a fun way to learn about wine and your particular preferences — plus it’s simply a good excuse to hang out with friends and enjoy some great wine!
Pick out a couple of bottles from our Wine Shop, cover the labels, and assign each a number. Then just print copies of our Tasting Party Sheet — one or two for each guests, depending on the number of wines you’ll be tasting — and you’re ready to get started.
Don’t have enough wine glasses to go around? Ask each guest to bring one along. For large tasting parties, invite guests to bring a favorite bottle to share.
The range of proper serving temperature per varietal ranges from 45° F (champagne) to 65° F (red blends). A typical refrigerator is set at 35° F, and a standard room is 70° F — a little too low and a little too high — so follow these easy tips for getting your wine right on target:
- Store whites in the refrigerator and bring them out 15 minutes before serving.
- Serve reds just below room temperature by putting them in the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving.
You can also print our Serving Temperature Guide and keep it in the kitchen, if want to get even more exact.
Wine Glasses
Just as different wines have unique qualities, different wine glasses are uniquely designed to accentuate those qualities.
- Champagne: serve in a flute, which encourage small, continuous bubble formation
- Delicate, crisp white: serve in a medium-height glass with a slightly narrowed mouth
- Full-bodied, aromatic white: serve in a glass with a slightly larger bowl for swirling and enjoying the bouquet
- Red: serve in a glass with a larger, wider bowl and mouth — all the better to see, swirl, and smell its full-bodied complexities
All quality wine glasses are:
- Constructed with high-quality glass that is clear, colorless, and of sufficient thickness
- Single-piece construction (the bowl, stem, and base are made from one piece)
- Balanced and easily rest in your hand
There’s also a new wine glass technology that utilizes a patented coating to oxygenate the wine. While there’s still debate as to whether these “breathable” glasses eliminate the need for decanting, these glasses are certainly taking the wine scene by storm and make a fantastic gift idea for wine enthusiasts. We particularly like the Eisch Superior.
Decanters
Decanting is especially import for big, full-bodied, and complex reds. It allows the wine to “micro oxygenate,” which releases the full aroma and allows the wine’s tannins, fruit, alcohol, and acidity to balance and integrate.
Decanters work on a straight-forward principal: pouring wine across a larger surface area increases its air exposure, allowing the wine to more readily oxygenate. At a minimum, decant for 15 -20 minutes. The bigger and bolder the wine, the more time you should give it.
In addition to the traditional full-size decanters, there are now a number of pour-through options. Convenient and easy to clean, many people find that they’re much more apt to use the pour-through type. One of our favorites is the Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator. Small, easy to use, and effective, it’s a conversation-starting piece that’s always a hit, in your kitchen or as a gift.
The number-one enemy of your fine wine is excessive temperature, both extreme hot and cold. Wines should never be exposed to temperatures significantly above room temperature or be allowed to freeze. For wine you plan to enjoy within a few months after purchase, room temperature is fine. But if you have wines you want to save for awhile, keep them in a climate-controlled environment, ideally 55° F and 60 - 80% humidity.
Direct sunlight, excessive florescent lighting, jostling, and shaking can also harm your wines. They like to be laid down, undisturbed, and in the dark until you’re ready to open them up. Why lay them down? It allows the wine to remain in contact with the cork. Don’t have a storage rack? Simply store full cases with the corks pointed down.
Proper storage allows your wines to continue to mature at a controlled and predictable rate. Otherwise, they may age more rapidly or become damaged due to corkage or excessive temperatures.
And if you’re looking into purchasing wines from a third-party source — including from private cellars or other collectors — always confirm that the wines has been properly cellared first. It’s vital to ensuring that you receive a quality product. All of our wines are properly stored on their sides, in the dark, at their proper storage temperatures.
