Hints & Tips on Serving Wine

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Ask for the wine order early, then bring the wine to the table promptly. If an ice bucket is required, bring it to the table before the wine and place it in a convenient location. Also bring the appropriate wine glasses to the table before the bottle of wine. Use an ice bucket for sparkling wines, champagnes, white wines, or whenever a guests requests it.

Serving Wine: 

  • The wine host is the person who orders the wine

  • Make sure to ask if everyone is having wine before pouring it

  • Make sure everyone that is having wine can legally drink

  • Always present the bottle to the guest that ordered it – the wine host

  • Serve ladies first

  • Never touch the rim of the glass with the wine bottle

  • Pour from the right of the guest with your right hand making sure the label is visible

  • Leave wine glasses on the table while you pour

  • Always remove the foil and cork at the table

  • If the cork is accidentally broken while opening the bottle of wine, excuse yourself from the table, go to the bar and ask the bartender for another bottle of the same wine

  • When pouring, fill the wine glass no more than one third full

  • To avoid dripping wine, give the bottle a slight twist when lifting it up from the glass at the completion of each pour – Carry a napkin to catch unavoidable drips

  • A bottle of wine will fill 4-5 wine glasses one third to one half full

  • If there are five or more guests drinking wine, ask if they would like two bottles

  • If only one bottle is desired, be sure to portion the wine properly so each guest receives wine

  • When a table has finished a bottle, ask if they would like another bottle

  • If a second bottle is ordered, bring a new glass to the wine host

  • If a second and different bottle of wine is ordered, bring fresh glasses for all guests

  • Let the guest know they can take home unfinished, corked wine bottles



Wine Service 

1.     PRESENT IT TO THE TABLE

Present the bottle to the person who ordered it with the wine label facing them saying the name and vintage out loud. Wait for the wine host to confirm it is the correct wine. 

2.     REMOVE THE FOIL

Wine - Use the knife on your wine key to cut the foil cleanly beneath the bottom of the raised lip. Remove the foil or plastic top and place it in your pocket. 

Sparkling Wine – Undo the foil and wire cage, remove it and put it in your pocket. Place a napkin over the cork, point the cork away from any diners, then gently turn the bottle (not the cork) while applying back pressure to the cork.

3.     WIPE THE CORK

Wipe the top of the cork and the rim of the bottle with a napkin. 

Ask for the wine order early, then bring the wine to the table promptly. If an ice bucket is required, bring it to the table before the wine and place it in a convenient location. Also bring the appropriate wine glasses to the table before the bottle of wine. Use an ice bucket for sparkling wines, champagnes, white wines, or whenever a guests requests it.

Decanting Wine 

Decanting is the process of pouring a bottle of wine into a decorative decanter before serving in order to separate any sediment that has formed. Decanting also helps aerate the wine, which can give it a boost in flavor and aroma.

This process is typically saved for red wines that have been stored for more than five to ten years, but some guests might specially request that their wine be decanted.

How To Decant

  • Use a flashlight or candle to see the sediment in the bottle so it’s not dumped in with the wine by mistake

  • Stop pouring when the sediment reaches the top of the neck

  • Discard any remaining sediment

  • Rinse out the wine bottle – Save the bottle and cork in case the guest would like to take any remaining wine home

Have the guest taste first and then decant. If they taste first and then decant, nothing is lost.

If they decant first and then taste and suspect that the wine may have lost something to the air, there is no going back.