Any Wine Guru's out there??

[imdeanna]

I'm going to be volunteering at a local winery/ampitheather in the wine tasting garden during their summer concerts, starting THIS Saturday (and I know NOTHING about wine) which isn't the problem...(as I'm just going to be Opening and Pouring)

Any hints on how to use a waiters corkscrew so I don't look like a complete wine newbie??? (or a complete idiot)

When you pour the wine...should you tilt the glass??

[maillotpois]

Practice! (Which should be fun). Be sure you get a good quality corkscrew; screw into the cork straight in the middle (don't let it go sideways on you); put the lever part against the bottle and pull up firmly and slowly.

As for tilting, I only tilt if it's bubbly. Pour slowly so no splashing and you don't need to tilt. (Most waiters pour directly into the glass as it sits on the table (so not tilted).

I am really digging screw caps these days.

[Kimmyt]

Yay wine! Not an expert, but I've opened a few in my time....

maill has it right. Get a good one. I have several wine keys (heh, a friend of mine who worked in wine distrib taught me that one and i now feel uber cool when i say it) and use only one because of the way it feels. Don't get a cheep one. I have some that are too narrow to fit comfortably in your hand.

I actually have several other more fancy types of corkscrews like the rabbit one but really prefer a waiter's corkscrew. It's so easy and the cork never splinters.

Keep the bottle on the table as you pull up, with a firm grip holding the bottle. I'm a shortie so find it helps to raise up on my tip toes as I pull up.

Sometimes when I pour I'll give the bottle a little slow rotate to catch the last drip. Also keep a towel handy, I'm sure the vinyard will give them to you for that purpose, wrap around the bottle as you pour to catch drips and keep them off the tablecloth, if there is one.

Enjoy!

Does this new 'job' mean employee discount$?

[imdeanna]

Does this new 'job' mean employee discount$?

actually YES! the wine Garden closes at intermission, so we can go watch the rest of the concert, and have free wine (too bad I don't drink wine!!)

Crosby Stills and Nash are playing this weekend...so should be decent music to listen too!

Oh...and THANKS for the TIPS guys!!

[Chile Pepper]

Keep the bottle on the table as you pull up

Um... I often wind up holding the bottle between my knees. Not very elegant, but very effective.

[CyclaSutra]

I never mastered the elegant wine bottle opening with just using two hands. Scared to drop the bottle. So -- for years of waiting tables and bartending -- here's my technique. I bend one knee out in front and rest the bottle halfway between knee and crotch, holding neck with left hand and twisting corkscrew with right. Once it's in far enough, flip the doodad down and pull up slowly on the handle.

As for the pour, practice tilting the bottle only enough so that a smallish stream comes out. As you pour a taster, lift the bottle theatrically with your right hand, pinkie finger in the air for style points. As you turn the bottle back horizontally and down to finish the pour, drop it down to vertical again and set it down.

Keep wine glass on table at all times, unless you need to pour one away from the table. If it's red, cup the glass as if you were holding your left hand out for spare change, with stem between your fingers. If it's white, hold the glass by its stem (can't risk heating the wine with your hot little hand!).

Good luck, have fun and don't forget to sample all you can!

(Jo says enviously, as she's not drinking wine to spare the fetus any future alcholism or other complications)

[imdeanna]

If it's red, cup the glass as if you were holding your left hand out for spare change, with stem between your fingers. If it's white, hold the glass by its stem (can't risk heating the wine with your hot little hand!).

)

Ooo NICE tip!!!

[alpinerabbit]

Use drop stops if they have it - little foil circles in the neck that avoid ugly drops outside the glass...

from the winelover from Switzerland

rabbit

[Kimmyt]

Will the vinyard be giving you guys tips? Since you're not a wine drinker, there's some more basics to serving wine.

1) present the bottle to the one who ordered it. This allows them to make sure you've brought the bottle they want.

2) uncork. Set the cork on the table next to the bottle.

3) Pour a small bit (about 1-2 sips) into the orderer's glass. They'll taste it and let you know if it's ok. They'll nod or something and then you can pour everyone.

I would recommend not picking up their glasses unless you have problems reaching. I don't personally cup my red, and wouldn't like a waiter handling my glass unless absolutely necessary, but that's just my feelings, the vinyard might have instructions or something for how you're supposed to pour.

Have fun! Funny that you don't drink wine though... maybe now is the time to learn?

[imdeanna]

Funny that you don't drink wine though... maybe now is the time to learn?

When I go to a restaurant...and feel like having a glass of wine w/dinner, I always just order the 'house blush' LOL.... that way I don't have to Pronounce anything...or try and guess which 'wine name' is light and fruity!!

I just don't have a taste for Red wines, or white wines if they are dry!

I'm a Hard Liquer girl myself...just give me a Long Island or White Russian & I'm happy!!

I actually got in on this from a couple friend that have volunteered during the concerts for years...they have a blast, and they were short one girl this year..so I thought I'd give it a shot!!