When to open wine
At least one hour in advance. If it’s red, pour it into a decanter. If it’s white, put it back in the refrigerator.
Chilling a white wine fast
Take an ice bucket, adding about one-third water, one-third ice (or snow!) and a pinch of salt, which helps the ice melt and keeps the water from freezing. Insert the bottle and, after 10 minutes, the wine will be at the right temperature.
Thawing a frozen wine
Did you put your bottle in the freezer to chill quickly but forgot about it? To thaw, place it in lukewarm water. When serving, pay attention; there may be some solid deposits at the bottom of the bottle.
Recognizing a corked wine
If it smells like cork, humidity, mould or dust, there’s no doubt: it’s corked. But the cork smell can sometimes be subtle. To be sure, taste it. If it’s corked, its taste will be dull (almost flavourless!) and it might have a mushroomy aroma. And if the next day the wine still tastes just as bad, don’t kid yourself: it’s definitely corked.
How much wine to plan per person
Since one bottle contains six glasses of wine, plan one bottle for three people at a meal, or two glasses of wine per person.
Storing leftover wine
It can be stored for 3 to 5 days. Simply put the cork back on and, above all, store the bottle in the refrigerator. You can also transfer the wine into a Mason jar in order to reduce the amount of air, which accelerates oxidation. After this period, you can absolutely use it to cook with.
Alcohol-free swaps
When cooking, simply replace the alcohol with the same volume of another liquid (apple juice or broth).
Spilled some wine on your shirt? Pour boiled milk or white wine on a red wine stain, then machine wash. Despite popular belief, avoid using salt, as it tends to damage fabric!
VEGETABLES
Leeks in White Wine
SAUCES, BUTTER & PESTO
Red Wine Sauce
Looking for more tips and tricks for a successful holiday feast? Be sure to check out our handy guide:
