APPENDIX–THE PERFECT SERVE

Serving up a fine wine is an art form unto itself. To maximize your artistic flair, the following tips can help turn every wine into a masterpiece of the palate.

Choosing the Perfect Glass

The Right Glass for the Right Wine

While the variety of wine glass styles is almost as extensive as the number of different wine varieties, there are four primary styles that are a must for wine aficionados:

Red wine glasses are taller and wider, allowing you to better appreciate the complexities of the wine. There are two primary styles of red wine glasses.

The Bordeaux glass is designed for rich, full-bodied red wines, such as Cabernets and Merlots, and features a wide bowl that allows the wine to breathe and brings out the rich aromas. The tall bowl lets the wine proceed directly to the back of the mouth, allowing for maximum flavor.

A Burgundy glass is recommended for other full-bodied wines, such as a Pinot Noir. Larger than the Bordeaux glass, the Burgundy glass features a large bowl that allows the wine to dispense to the tip of the tongue, making it easier to taste the sweetness of the wine.

White wine glasses are smaller to help keep the wine cool. A young, crisp white wine should be served in a glass with an opening that’s slightly larger than the body of the glass itself. This allows the wine to dispense at the tip and sides of the tongue, bringing out the wine’s sweetness.

For more mature white wines, you will want a taller, straighter glass. This type of glass will allow the wine to dispense to the rear and sides of the tongue, allowing you to better taste the bolder flavor.

The 20/20 Rule

20/20 Rule of Thumb for Serving Temperatures

Your wine vault is designed to maintain an optimal wine storage temperature of 55°F for both red and white wines. To allow the wine to arrive at approximate serving temperature, use the 20/20 rule of thumb.

When serving red wines, remove the bottle 20 minutes before serving and place on the table. At the end of

20 minutes, a bottle of red wine should reach just below average room temperature.

When serving white wines, remove the bottle 20 minutes before serving and place in a bucket of ice and water. This should chill the white wine down to the mid-40°F range.

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GE Monogram Wine Vault APPENDIX-THE Perfect Serve, Choosing the Perfect Glass, Right Glass for the Right Wine, 20/20 Rule