Classic Wines

Does the smell of a cork tell you anything? How many different shapes of wineglass should you buy? And what's the deal with decanting? In this episode, the sommelier instructors at The Wine School of Philadelphia discuss how to get the most pleasure from a bottle of wine. And the answers, as always, may surprise you.

There are wines that we can enjoy from all over the world, today we review two Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Chile. Join The Classic Wines Minute as Brian Freedman describes the currans, chocolate, cedar and dark ripe fruit on the nose of the wines, and explains why he would pair one of them with a big rib eye steak. Food and wine, what could be better.

The type and size of glass that you use when tasting a wine can absolutely enhance the flavor and aroma of your wine. Today our host, Brian Freedman tastes a Burgundy - Jaboulet- Vercherre 2004 Gevrey - Chambertin. We test this wine in the Taste of Purple Vino2 glass and find out if it does indeed improve the flavor of our wine.

Have you ever decanted your wine? How about in it's own bottle? Join us this week as "The Classic Wines Minute" explains why the Soiree in-bottle decanter has earned a place on those crowded holiday and event tables. One-fifth the size of a traditional decanter, The Soiree aerates your wine in the same way that swirling in your glass does. We review a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley while using the Soiree as our go-to in-bottle decanter. Watch how the wine is swirled around, agitating the wine, bringing in the necessary oxygen that the wine needs. After decanting the wine, you'll be able to see how both the nose and palate become more enjoyable. Join us to learn why decanting your wine is so important, and let us help you find the wine that's perfect for you.

Older wines benefit from being decanted because when you bring oxygen to your wine it helps to bring out the flavor. Today we review an old Bordeaux wine, the Chateau Simard 1995 Saint Emilion . To help us decant the wine we use the unique looking Taste of Purple decanter with an easy to use pour spout - great for your holiday table. Learn more about decanting your wine in our latest video with Brian Freedman.

Pinot Boutique in Old City Philadelphia is truly a toy store for wine lovers. They have wine accessories for every occasion - from crystal glassware by world famous Riedel, to decanters, corkscrews, artwork, furniture and wine refrigeration systems. In this episode we visit Pinot Boutique, browse their wine accessory selections, and attend their opening party where their signature Pino-tini's flowed while visitors toured the store.

This week "The Classic Wines Minute" explains the importance of decanting your wine. We review three wines, a white 2005 Chardonnay, a red Chateau Haut-Ballet 2001 Bordeaux and the Mollydooker "The Boxer" 2006 Shiraz, a red wine from south Australia. Helping us decant our wine is a product called the Soiree decanter, an in bottle decanter.