When we are with friends, we are obviously often barraged with questions about wine. Here are a few of the top questions.
Should red wine be served cold or at room temperature?
Red wine, especially if it is an intense wine, is bolder and tastes better at room temperature. When in doubt, read the label: normally red wines should be served at a temperature between 16° and 20° C, which means that in August if there are 40° C it is better to put the wine in a cool place for a short time. The Polvaro Cabernet Sauvignon D.O.C. is a perfect example of red wine meant to be served between 16° and 18° C, a suitable temperature to appreciate its body and its intense ruby red color.
Is the rosé wine made by mixing white and red grapes?
The answer is: it depends on the method and style of the wine. The Polvaro Prosecco D.O.C. Rosè Extra Dry of our production has a component of Pinot Nero grapes (10%) and Glera grapes (90%). Grapes that are well-exposed to the sun, combined with balanced production methods result in a delicate pink hue, enhanced by olfactory harmony, a balance between sugars and acidity. Let’s be honest though, we could go on about rosè for hours.
“Is swirling wine in the glass really useful or is it just a mise en scène? Sommeliers always do it, but then again, so do people who really don’t have a clue. Sommeliers do it to expand the aromas allowing them to mingle with oxygen; the latter do it just for show.”
Is swirling wine in the glass really useful or is it just a mise en scène?
Is swirling wine in the glass really useful or is it just a mise en scène? Sommeliers always do it, but then again, so do people who really don’t have a clue. Sommeliers do it to expand the aromas allowing them to mingle with oxygen; the latter do it just for show. So it’s a yes. Swirl your glass! To prove that you are a pro when it comes to tasting, this gesture is best done with the appropriate glasses. The Polvaro Chardonnay D.O.C., for example, is a white wine that requires a tulip-shaped glass to be appreciated at its best, while the Tenuta Polvaro Cabernet Sauvignon D.O.C. is a red that requires a large Bordeaux glass. In short, each wine has its own.
What do fruity scents come from?
We often hear about the fruity aromas and flavors of a wine. Here is another secret uncovered: if the sommelier says “peach and tobacco aftertaste”, he is not crazy, they are just “analogies” to better explain the flavors that are perceived immediately. So you can also argue that there is a hint of mulberry or cherry. Even the Tenuta Polvaro wines [link wine section] embody aromas that recall fresh fruity flavors, as is the case of the Tenuta Polvaro Gold I.G.P., a white wine with clear references to apple, apricot and pink grapefruit.
Why do you look at the color of wine against the light?
This is something leading wine experts do. In wine jargon, this is called “visual analysis” and which is now a crazy trend throughout Italy. What secrets can I learn from the color of the wine? The sommeliers try to evaluate transparency, clarity, fluidity, color and eventual effervescence. The first two values are fairly objective, while opinions are divided even among experts on fluidity and color. So just observe how clear and transparent it is to try to guess if it’s good or not.
From theory to practice: you can try this method out on the Tenuta Polvaro red wines and the Tenuta Polvaro whites. What’s more, the members of the Tenuta Polvaro Wine Club can exclusively experience the e-Meet & Test experience with Tenuta Polvaro – a tasting of our wines from the comfort of your home, even in the company of friends. Or, we suggest you organize a trip and come and visit us in Annone Veneto for a dedicated visit to the village and the vineyards and a tasting among the barriques of our wine cellar.
