How to Pour Wine?

Pouring wine may look simple, but getting it right can be tricky. Serving wine correctly is an art that requires the right technique and patience. 

And with our step-by-step guide, you can learn how to pour wine the right way and make your drinking experience even better. 

Let’s get into the details!

How to Pour Wine Perfectly: All the Steps

Here is a step-by-step guide to learning how to pour wine the correct way!

 

1. Choose The Right Glass

Glass choice matters to complement the type of wine being served. 

Red wines benefit from larger bowl glasses that allow the wine to breathe. White wines are consumed best when served in smaller bowl glasses that retain their chill. Similarly, sparkling wines really do come alive in a tall, elegant flute, preserving the effervescence. 

Regardless of the type, make sure that the glass is clean and has no scents that would go into the wine to impact its aroma.

2. Open The Bottle

Pull out the corkscrew and hold it at a small angle so that it can get to the centre of the cork. Twist it clockwise, ensuring that the spiral is well pressed into the cork, leaving one curl out. Thereby, gently level out the cork using the hinge support on the corkscrew. 

Push out the cork slowly and carefully, not too loud to avoid ‘pop,’ which scares guests and is bad for the wine. 

Screw cap bottles open by twisting the bottle counterclockwise. Some caps have a removable perforated band, so be sure to remove the whole thing.

 

3. Hold The Bottle Right

Hold the bottle securely, with your thumb resting at the punt—the slight indentation at the bottom—and letting your other fingers stretch around the body of the bottle. This technique not only improves your grip for greater security but also gives a professional appearance. 

Frequently, you will need to add support to the neck of larger and heavier bottles with your other hand to keep the stream going.

 

4. Start to Pour 

Hold the glass by its stem, holding the warmth of your hands out of the wine. Tilt the glass to 45 degrees and start pouring so the wine flows along the side instead of going straight down to the bottom. 

This will help minimise splashing and introduce oxygen to the wine, which enhances the wine’s flavour and aroma. 

5. Stop at The Correct Level

Pour in is about one-third of a glass of wine for most wines. This is usually around 5-6 ounces for most wines, though the actual level could be different depending on the shape and size of the glass used. 

Leaving space in the glass allows room to swirl around and the wine’s aromas to develop, creating a greater overall tasting experience.

Lastly, sparkling wines should be filled up to two-thirds full in order to emphasise the dance of bubbles within.

6. Finish The Pour 

Hold the bottle at a little twist as you lift it up at the very end of the pour. 

This gentle motion will enable you to catch any drops that trickle down the side of the bottle. Though seemingly a small thing, this action is a gesture to show sensitivity and helps prevent wine from staining tablecloths or surfaces.In addition, have the napkin ready to catch any stray drops from the bottle. You can also wipe the neck of the bottom to ensure the bottle stays clean.

Remember, you won’t get it right in your first attempt. Don’t be discouraged if you spill a drop or two. Even the most seasoned sommelier experiences their “oops!” moment sometimes. So, keep practising. 

 

How Much Wine Should You Pour Into a Glass?

A standard pour of wine is typically 5 ounces or about 150ml. This allows the wine to breathe in the glass with enough room to swirl and sniff it.  

However, a lot of factors can affect how much wine you should pour into a glass: 

• The type of wine: Generally, wines with higher alcohol content should be served less.
• Drinking vs wine tasting: Wines are to be served less if the purpose is wine tasting (2 ounces).
• Size of the glass: Stick to one-third rule to pour, irrespective of how big the glass is. 
• Food pairings: If you are pairing the wine with food, the amount of wine can fluctuate to suit the food type.
  
  

To Sum Up 

Pouring wine correctly is a skill that can be polished with practice. Remember, the ultimate goal of serving wine is to make sure everyone enjoys their wine comfortably.

With the techniques we have mentioned above, you can pour the wine with confidence and style! You’ll also be able to get the most out of your wine bottle when you practise pouring it correctly. 

 

Looking For The Best Wine Experience? 

Bali is home to some of the most amazing wine bars in Asia. From local wines to international picks, you can visit Belle Wine Bar and indulge in the best wines and handpicked food pairing options.