Advice

What does 'vintage' mean? - Ask Decanter

Although it can cause confusion, the meaning of the term 'vintage' is actually very simple. A wine's vintage simply tells you which year the grapes were picked.

What does 'in bond' mean? - ask Decanter

Seen wine prices listed as 'in bond'?

Recioto della Valpolicella vs Amarone: What's the difference?

They are both made from dried grapes.

Which qualifications are most respected in the wine trade?

The Master of Wine and Master Sommelier qualification are perhaps the most famous and tricky qualifications to obtain.

What wine courses are available?

There are many wine courses available but how to decide which one?

What do I need to host a tasting?

First of all, select and buy your wines (these can be your own personal preferences or some bottles you’ve never tried before).

What is the Wine Options game?

Players compete to guess, eventually, the name, grape variety and vintage of a wine.

Can wine be good for your health?

In moderation, wine, particularly red, has been shown to be good for your health.

What is binge drinking?

Binge drinking is drinking heavily in a short space of time to get drunk or feel the effects of alcohol.

What is the recommended daily alcohol consumption?

The British Government's guidelines say that a man should not regularly drink more than 3-4 alcohol units a day and a woman should not regularly exceed 2-3 units a day.

Are there any foods that are difficult to match?

Yes - there are some notoriously difficult foods to find a wine to match.

What are the best wines for cheese?

Many people assume red wines are best with cheese but it ain't necessarily so.

What is the current rate of duty on wine?

As of the 2010 UK Budget, the duty on a case of wine between 5.5% and 15% was £20.25 per nine-litre case. This equates to £1.69 per bottle

How long should I store my wine?

How long is a piece of string? There is no definitive answer.

Where should I store my wine?

Not in the kitchen or garage! The temperatures are too variable.

What glass should I use for serving red wine?

Firstly, choose clear glass or crystal.

How to pour sparkling wine

The latest sceintific research claims you should pour sparkling wines like beer - with the glass tilted at an angle.

At what temperature should I serve wine?

Sparkling wines should be served at 9C, white wine at 12C, rose at 11C and red wine at 17C.

I want to take a bottle of wine to a dinner party. What should I take?

We've all chosen something with a nice label or bought on price to impress our friends.

What can I serve as an aperitif other than Champagne?

A light, fruity white such as a sparkling Moscato d'Asti, a medium German Riesling or a Fino sherry are all perfect as an alternative to bubbly.

How many glasses of wine will I get from a bottle?

That depends on the size of the bottle and the glasses, but in general, you should work on five-six glasses per 75cl bottle.