Three steps to make a $10 bottle of red wine taste three times as good
Play “tag” which stands for Temperature, Aeration and Glassware:
1. FEEL THE BOTTLE. If the red is slightly cool to the touch, serve it. If it’s warm, meaning ambient room temperature (70-75 degrees), ask for an ice bucket and give the wine a dip for five to 10 minutes so it gets slightly cool like the temperature of a wine cellar.
2. HAVE THE WINE AERATED IN A DECANTER (or glass pitcher at a more casual restaurant) before serving it.
3. ASK FOR BIG RED WINE GLASSES The big bowl lets you swirl and limber up the wine so it tastes better (just as you limber up and stretch before you exercise). For use at home, or as gifts, buy the Riedel ‘Vinim’ line at about $15 a glass, or the Ravenscroft line at about $10 a glass. Wine glasses are the gift that keeps on giving.
So gift yourself first!
