Pouring wine at a dinner party can sometimes be an awkward and uncomfortable game of trying to avoid drips and drops that can get on your table or even your guests. Let your wine make the perfect entrance with these tricks of the trade to make pouring a complete success.
Instructions
1. Take a firm hold of the wine bottle with clean dry hands so that the glass won't slip and you won't leave marks or smudges. Grasp the bottle from the bottom and aim the top for the center of the glass. Sparkling wines sometimes benefit from pouring on the side to retain the bubbles but always pour still wines in the middle.
2. Pour a small amount into your own or an extra glass to get rid of any stray pieces of cork. Check that the smell and color are as they should be. This is also a good time to check that the temperature is right for the type of wine you are serving and that the glasses you have are the best size and shape.
3. Let the liquid pour slowly to avoid splashing the wine up into the glass or even on to the table or yourself. Fill the glass just above halfway, leaving plenty of space for to swirl and smell the chosen wine.
4. Turn the bottle around when you are moving away from the glass to prevent drips. Remember to repeat this in between pouring every glass as you move around the table. Depending on how formal the dinner party is, you may choose to serve some guests before others depending on their age or gender.
5. Place the bottle on a wine coaster or place mat to avoid staining the cloth with rings. For white or sparkling wines, you can also put these in a chill container to keep them at a low temperature throughout the meal. Avoid putting the bottle back in the refrigerator because you will have to fetch it constantly to refill glasses.
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