YOUR WINE QUESTIONS ANSWERED

I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT WINE BUT ENJOY AN OCCASIONAL GLASS OF SOMETHING NOT TOO EXPENSIVE. I NOTE THAT SOME OF MY MORE SERIOUS FRIENDS HAVE CURIOUSLY SHAPED “TASTING GLASSES” THEY BRING OUT FROM TIME TO TIME. IS THERE ANY BENEFIT FROM THIS, OR IS IT JUST TO IMPRESS LESS EDUCATED FRIENDS LIKE ME?

No, there really is a good reason for the shape of a tasting glass. It is designed with a wide section to provide a large surface area and therefore allow the aroma to form. e glass tapers to an arrow rim, so that aroma is gathered and concentrated for easy sni ng. It has a stem so it can be handled without leaving ngerprints on the bowl and masking the clarity of the contents. Voila! Maybe you should get one.

I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT AND DO NOT HAVE THE SPACE (OR FINANCES) FOR A PROPER WINE CELLAR. I LIKE TO KEEP SEVERAL BOTTLES OF REASONABLY GOOD WINE ON HAND TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STORE IT UNTIL IT IS OPENED? e important thing to look for is a place with a constant temperature. When wine is warmed it expands and a tiny amount of air escapes past the cork. When it cools it contracts and draws a small amount of air into the bottle. Obviously in time the air that has entered the bottle will cause oxidation and spoilage. I would recommend that you buy an insulated cool-box and keep it in a dark corner of your wardrobe, away from sunlight. Not ideal, but under the circumstances…

YOUR WIN FAQS E

YOUR WINE QUESTIONS ANSWERED

WE HEAR THE SOUTH AFRICAN WINE INDUSTRY IS SUFFERING A MAJOR BOTTLE SHORTAGE DUE TO A LACK OF GLASS-MAKING RAW MATERIALS. WOULD THIS NOT BE AN IDEAL TIME TO BE PRACTICAL AND SWITCH THE WHOLE INDUSTRY TO PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH SCREW-CAPS? ANOTHER AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT, MILK, HAS BEEN SOLD IN PLASTIC, SCREWCAPPED CONTAINERS FOR YEARS AND IT DOESN’T APPEAR TO HAVE AFFECTED SALES TOO BADLY. ere’s a lot more to wine than merely glugging it down. For centuries wine has been regarded with respect as an important part of civilised living. e opening of a bottle of wine is enhanced by several factors—the company we share it with, the attractive container and informative label, the drawing of the cork and the critical rst sip. Wine is a living thing and no two glasses are exactly the same. Many other liquids are produced in factories in millions of bottles with the contents tasting exactly the same, so it doesn’t matter whether it’s served in a crystal glass or a plastic bucket. But the opening of a bottle of wine is always an event—and an elegant bottle and the act of pulling out the cork adds to the happy mystery that is wine.

‘ e opening of a bottle of wine is always an event—and an elegant bottle and the act of pulling out the cork adds to the happy mystery that is wine’