How to Uncork a good bottle of Wine
 

You have just chosen a bottle form your wine-rack to offer your guests. The bottle will have been resting quietly, out of the daylight and at a constant temperature of 10-12° for several days (especially in the case of a great red wine).

If there is no visible deposit in the bottle, there is no need to use a serving basket.

On the other hand with an old well-matured wine, a tannic deposit may have formed on the side of the bottle. This is a sign of high quality and a bottle like this must be handled with care.

Using the serving basket, keep the bottle lying in the same position as in the wine-rack, and avoid disturbing the contents.

Red wine is improved if the bottle is uncorked about one hour before the meal. French wine is a living body. It is dormant in the bottle, and, as soon as the bottle is uncorked, the wine is "awakened" and starts "breathing".

It absorbs oxygen from the air and this oxidation activates the development of the "bouquet" and the aroma. One hour or so of "breathing', gives depth and smoothness to red wine.

White and rosé wines have a very delicate fragrance which would lose its freshness if it were exposed to air for too long a time. Therefore the bottles are opened just before serving.

Carefully cut the metal or plastic cap a centimeter below the bottle's neck	Use a good spiralled corkscrew and pierce the cork right through
Wipe over outer edge of the neck reaching to the inner edge	Pour a little of the wine into a glass to taste it

Removing the cap

This must be done gently.

• Carefully cut the metal or plastic cap a centimeter below the neck of the bottle as the wine must not enter into contact with metal or any other substance covering the cork.

• Wipe with a clean cloth.

Uncorking the bottle

• To do this correctly, you must have a good spiralled corkscrew of the "wine-waiter" variety, so that you can pace the operation properly.
  
  A grand vin will always have a very long cork and it is important to pierce the cork right through.

• As soon as the cork is removed, sniff it carefully. Watch for a "cork taste". If there really is a taste of cork the bottle should be replaced immediately.

• Once more wipe over outside edge of the neck reaching to the inner edge with a clean cloth.

• Pour a little of the wine into a glass to taste it.

 

How To Serve French Wine - Temperature			How to uncork a bottle and serve champagne or sparkling wine

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