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HOW TO SERVE WINE PROPERLY (WITHOUT OVERTHINKING IT)

by The Liquid Luxe Curator

Serving wine well doesn’t require a sommelier certificate — just a few simple habits that make a real difference.

From temperature to glassware, small details can elevate how a wine tastes and how it’s experienced. The good news? Once you know the basics, it all becomes second nature.

Here’s everything you need to know to serve wine with confidence.

WHAT’S THE RIGHT SERVING TEMPERATURE?

This is the most important (and most overlooked) detail.

Modern room temperature is usually too warm for reds, while fridges are often too cold for whites.

Red Wine

Best served between 13–18°C

  • Lighter reds (Pinot Noir): cooler end

  • Fuller reds (Cabernet Sauvignon): slightly warmer

Tip: A quick 15–20 minutes in the fridge brings most reds into perfect balance. Many wines in the Red Wine Collection show far more freshness when slightly cooled.

White Wine & Rosé

Best served between 7–13°C

Tip: Take bottles from the White Wine Collection out of the fridge 15–20 minutes before serving to allow aromas to open up.

Sparkling Wine

Best served between 4–10°C

Crisp, cold — but not frozen. Over-chilling dulls flavour, even in premium bottles from the Sparkling Wine Collection.

DOES THE GLASS REALLY MATTER?

Short answer: yes.

Glass shape affects how wine breathes, smells and tastes.

Red Wine Glasses

Large, wide bowls allow oxygen to soften tannins and release complexity.

White & Rosé Glasses

Smaller, narrower bowls preserve freshness and keep the wine cooler.

Sparkling Glasses

Tall, slender shapes help retain bubbles and focus delicate aromas.

If you only have one type of glass, don’t worry — but if you can, match the glass to the wine.

WHY GLASS SHAPE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

It’s not just aesthetics — it’s function.

  • Aeration: Red wines benefit from oxygen to open up

  • Temperature: Narrower glasses keep whites cooler longer

  • Aroma: Shape directs scents toward your nose

  • Balance: Rim shape influences how wine lands on your palate

Think of the glass as part of the experience, not just the container.

HOW SHOULD YOU HOLD A WINE GLASS?

Always hold the glass by the stem or base.

Why?

  • Keeps the wine at the right temperature

  • Avoids fingerprints on the bowl

  • Simply feels more natural and refined

Small detail, big difference.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU POUR?

Less than you think.

A standard pour is about 150ml, or roughly one-third of the glass.

This leaves enough space to swirl the wine — which helps release aroma and flavour.

SHOULD YOU DECANT YOUR WINE?

Sometimes — but not always.

Decanting is useful for two reasons:

Aeration

Young or bold reds benefit from exposure to oxygen, which softens tannins and opens aromas.

Sediment

Older wines may contain natural sediment, which decanting helps separate.

If in doubt, a quick swirl in the glass often does enough.

HOW LONG DOES WINE LAST AFTER OPENING?

Once opened, wine slowly oxidises.

Sparkling Wine

1–2 days (use a proper stopper)

White & Rosé

2–3 days (refrigerated and sealed)

Red Wine

3–5 days (depending on structure)

Wines with more acidity and tannin tend to last longer.

A FEW FINAL TIPS

  • Slightly cooler is almost always better than too warm

  • Fresh air helps wine — but doesn’t need to be complicated

  • Good glassware enhances the experience, but isn’t essential

  • Confidence matters more than perfection

FINAL THOUGHT

Serving wine well isn’t about strict rules — it’s about understanding a few simple principles and applying them naturally.

Once you get the basics right, every bottle becomes more enjoyable.

Curious to explore wines worth serving well? Discover our Red, White and Sparkling collections at COVE 27.

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