How to Pour Wine Without Spilling

Learn to pour wine without spilling

Pouring wine is an integral part of the wine experience. The professional approach of the waiter, the respectful handling of the wine bottle, the successful extraction of the cork and finally the heady aroma of the wine being poured and swirled while it breathes in a large glass all enhance the taste of the wine. If, however, wine is spilled on the brilliant white tablecloth, the enjoyment of the experience is interrupted.

Things You'll Need

• Wine
• 20 oz. glass
• Table
• Hollow screw cork remover

Instructions

1. Remove the cork with a hollow-screw cork remover that provides a straight pull on the cork. Drill the screw through the cork so the cork does not shatter and send bits into the wine.

2. Set a 20 oz. glass firmly on the table and hold the stem near the base while moving the glass in a small circle.

3. Set the lip of the bottle on the edge of the glass and slowly pour the wine into the glass. Continue swirling the wine up onto the sides of the glass while pouring to aerate it. Fill the glass about 1/3 full.

4. Remove the bottle from the glass by rotating your wrist slowly about 45 degrees and tilting the bottle up while it is held over the wine glass.

Tips & Warnings

• Handle the bottle gently. When a wine is pulled from the storage position on its side, tilt the bottle upright slowly and allow it to set for 10 minutes to let the sediment settle to the bottom. Don't traumatize the flavor of the wine by handling the bottle roughly, especially older wines.

• Practice holding the glass level and horizontal, off of the table, and pouring the wine in the correct manner. This is a more professional method than leaving the glass flat on the table while pouring the wine.

• Serve red wine at a temperature of between 66 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and white wine at about 58 degrees F.

• Be patient and careful while following the correct procedure of removing the cork. A shattered cork can send bits of cork throughout the wine.

• Rough treatment of an unopened bottle of wine can traumatize the wine and alter it's flavor.

References

• The Wine Dilletante: Pouring Wine Properly