WineLife365

Posts Tagged ‘Storing wine’

Wine by the numbers Q & A

1.)    What’s considered a “full” glass of wine?  Answer: About a ½ glass.  A half full glass allows the swirling folks to play “merry-go-round” with their wine.

2.)    How many bottles of wine you should plan per guest during a full evening of entertaining?  Answer: At least 1 bottle (750ml) per person.  If it’s my sister-in-law Linda, we triple it! :) So know your crowd and plan accordingly.

3.)    What’s the approximate number of servings in a standard size (750ml) bottle of wine?  Answer: 5. The pour may be a tad light at 5.  But you get about 4-5 glasses per 750ml bottle depending on the generosity of the person pouring the wine.

4.)    How many calories are in a glass of wine?  Answer: A standard bartender’s pour is considered to be 5 ounces.  The approximate number of calories based on a 5 oz pour is between 100 and 150 calories.

5.)    How many different glasses do I need?  Answer: 1 red and 1 white wine glass.  Or just one great all-purpose glass.  If you like the bubbly stuff or wear an ascot and a smoker’s jacket, then you’ll need a Champagne flute and a brandy snifter or “cocktail glass” too!

6.)    How long do I need to fully chill a white wine in the fridge before serving it?  Answer: About 2 hours.

7.)    How long do I need to fully chill a red wine in the fridge before serving it?  Answer: None.  Most red wines should be served at room temperature unless you’re dealing with a “cross- dresser” red wine like Beaujolais or Pinot Noir.  It all depends if you prefer to serve these particular types of reds at room temperature or with a little chill on them.

8.)    What’s the best storage temperature for wine to not freeze or cook?  Answer: Generally speaking an ideal storage temperature would be somewhere in your home that is constantly between 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit.  That’s why the basement makes for an ideal cellar.

9.)    How many days do leftover wines keep?  Answer: Again, generally speaking about 2 days. White wines tend to last a little bit longer than reds. I would say that red wines should be finished the day after opening it. That’s why I wish more wines used the bag-in-box system, it stays fresh much longer than a bottle.  Box wines can stay fresh for a month or more.

10.) How many different bottle openers do I need?  Answer: 1.  Any wine bottle with a cork can be opened with a  decent Spinhandle Screwpull.

Just when you thought that you’ve seen every wine gadget there is; a new one comes along. I came across a product that is essentially a thermos.  Oh, but it’s not your typical lunchbox thermos – it’s a “wine thermos”!

The Trek Wine Carafe is a shatterproof steel thermos that is geared for camping, hiking, picnicking, or any other outdoor activity where carrying around a glass bottle can be risky business. The idea of this invention is straight-forward. You just pour your 750ml red or white wine into the thermos, screw the lid on tight, and it will keep your juice safe.  

 The Trek Wine Carafe comes in two finishes: Merlot and Stainless Steel.  This travel size carafe can hold the contents of one 750ml standard wine bottle.

The cost for the Trek Wine Carafe is $24.95

At first glance, I thought that $25 bucks for a stainless steel thermos seemed a bit much. But after checking out what a traditional standard stainless steel lunchbox thermos runs these days; the Trek Wine Carafe is competitively priced.

I also have to admit that I first thought that this product was a tad silly. But, after rethinking its usefulness in particular situations, and the fact that the “flavor savors” of chicken noodle soup and coffee from my old lunchbox thermos would not be churning with my Bordeaux, makes me think that this might be a cool container to have around when hitting the great outdoors. 

The only thing that would make this thermos better would be 2 shatterproof glasses to boot!

 If this is out of your price range, here is another option: