The Right Stuff
Written By: Dylan York on Wed, Nov 14th 2007
The most important factor in enjoying good wine is having the proper tools. You cannot enjoy a great wine until you choose the proper vessels to complete the experience. There are a number of factors that you have to take into account if you are going to "really" taste your wine. Let's start from beginning.
Storage is the single most important factor that affects the way a wine tastes. No matter how prestigious a wine you have, if it is not stored properly, the wine will not deliver the profile it is meant to. The first toy that you should buy for yourself is a temperature controlled wine storage unit. Even before you purchase a corkscrew, make sure your wine is kept at a suitable and stable temperature. This applies for wines that you are aging as well as wines for early consumption. Red wines should be kept at 55 degrees F and white wines around 40 degrees F. Red wines are simply more relaxed when they are served between 55 to 60 degrees. Depending on how you prefer your white wine, 35 to 40 degrees is pleasant.
Once you decide how much space you can dedicate, you can choose a dual zone unit that will store both red and white wines.
Then, once you have your wine at the ideal temperature, you will need the proper glass and decanter.
The proper wine glass not only contributes to the flavor of the wine, but how you experience the wine with all five senses. The size, shape and composite of the glass all play a part in how you taste your wine.
I recently discovered Eisch Breathable Glassware. I own two styles, the Bordeaux and the Burgundy. The glassware is designed with tiny microscopic holes that allow the wine to open as if it were decanted. In about 2 to 4 minutes of swirling, the aromatics can be detected much faster than in a regular glass. It really works. Also the glasses are elegant and durable and I like the shape and feel of them. Riedel is a wonderful company, but their glassware can be fragile. I much prefer their decanters.
Out of all the decanters that I own, my favorite is my Riedel Cabernet Single Decanter. This decanter is not only the perfect size, but is easy to clean and maintain. Large captain decanters are great to look at but they take up so much space on the table and can be a pain when the wine is towards the end.
Once you have all the necessities, you will see how it enhances your wine experience. The love of wine is much more than a hobby; it's a way of life. Plus, it's just fun to have all the right stuff.
