"The Wines That Make Ashland Famous!"™

Wine Q&A

How many servings in a bottle?

A typical wine bottle size is 750 ml that contains 25.4 fluid ounces.  The glass size determines how many servings.  For example, you'll get approximately six servings per bottle using a 4-ounce wine glass compared to five servings using a 5-ounce glass.
 

Is there a correct way to open a bottle of wine?

Never rip off the capsule--just cut it neatly below the lip of the bottle.  Turn the point of your corkscrew clear down through the cork and use the lever to pull the cork out.  Wipe the mouth of the bottle before serving.
 

What type of glass?

Any good glass can be used with a fine wine, but stemmed glass is preferable.  Wine glasses come in a range of sizes, but a typical wine glass is 6 to 8 ounces.  The wine glass should be clear for color enjoyment, hold a generous amount to avoid frequent refills, and have a stem so your hand doesn't warm the wine.  A larger size glass also makes it possible to fill it only partially--one-half to two-thirds--so you can enjoy the fragrance and bouquet.


How do wine tastings work?

As wine becomes more popular, so do wine tastings.  It's fun to gather a group of friends and taste wine--usually four or five of the same type made by different wineries.  We would like to offer a very brief guide to wine tastings.

You'll need a different glass for each wine and unflavored crackers or water to clear your palate between tastes.  Basically, you will be judging three things:  appearance, odor, and taste appropriate for the type of wine which all add up to an overall opinion about the wine.

First, appearance:  the wine must be clear; then judge on other aspects--brilliance, hue, and density of color, etc.  Second, odor:  experts say that 90% of wine tasting is done with the nose, so sniff away!  Give two or three short, forceful sniffs checking first for the aroma--or characteristic perfume of the grape--and secondly for the bouquet--the complex combination of odors a fine, mature wine gives off when the bottle is opened.  Analyzing "bouquet" comes with experience.  Naturally, any peculiar odors disqualify a wine.  Third, taste:  take a sip, pull it back in your mouth and roll it around the tongue.  In wine, you will only be able to distinguish sweetness, sourness (better described as "tartness" or "acidity") and bitterness which is the astringent or "puckery" taste resulting from the amount of tannin in the wine.  Do you consider these in balance for the wine you are tasting?

Now you have looked at, sniffed, and tasted each of four or five wines.  Which one did you like best?  Explaining "why" you liked it the best is more difficult because it is usually a subjective opinion, but you'll be surprised how often several opinions coincide.  The important thing is to have faith in your own taste and to enjoy!

What is the best serving temperature?

If you've every wondered at what temperature wine should be served, this guide is for you.  By serving wine at the proper temperature, you ensure and enjoy the excellent characteristics of the wine.