The Most Common Questions Asked About Wine

Do All Wines Get Better With Age?

The idea that all wines get better with time is a very common misconception. The ageing process can significantly alter wine, revealing more complex flavours that were previously hidden by bolder, more primary flavours. Ageing wine can also have an effect on its colour and texture. However, not all wines benefit from being aged. In fact, experts say more wine is consumed over-aged than under. Experts also estimate that only 5-10% of wines benefit from ageing beyond a year, and only 1% get benefit from being aged 5-10 years.

Does the quality of the wine glass make a difference?

The type and/or quality of the wine glass you use can make a difference to the way you experience the wine, but it’s unlikely to impact the taste. Confused? Let us explain. Because the sense of smell is such a big part of how people experience wine, the type of glass used can affect that experience based on its structure. For example, many believe that red wines are better suited to wine glasses with large bowls and wide rims: this allows the holder to swish the wine without spilling, and the wide rim allows for the oxidation of the wine which strengthens the wine’s bouquet of scents. Alternatively, a tapered/narrow rimmed glass is better suited to white wine, to help trap the aromas. While there are some theories relating to the structure of the glass and how it affects the exact position on your tongue that the wine gets to first, this has been largely disregarded by scientists.

How long does wine last after being opened?

The answer to this question will vary depending on which type of bottle you’ve opened. Lighter white wines can last between 5 and 7 days in the fridge, whereas a full-bodied white wine will only last 3-5 days in the fridge. Lighter reds last 2-3 days in the fridge, medium reds can last 3-3 days, and a full-bodied red can last between 4 and 6 days in the fridge. Sparkling wines can last between 1-3 days, once opened, the bubbles will begin to lose carbonation. Fortified wines such as Sherry and Port are able to survive in the fridge for up to 28 days thanks to the presence of Brandy.

What are legs?

If you’re a wine enthusiast, you may be familiar with the term “legs”, or “wine legs”. To put it simply, “legs” refer to “the droplets of wine that form on the inside of a wine glass” when testing a wine’s alcohol levels. It’s a scientific method to do with the surface tension and the evaporation of alcohol. To test a wine’s legs, you should hold the glass at an angle to let the wine flow up one side of the glass, then hold it upright again, and check the density of the streaks of wine (“legs”) that form. A lot of legs indicates a higher alcohol percentage.

Why do people slurp wine?

If you haven’t seen anyone slurp wine in real life, you may think it’s just an exaggeration that you see on TV and in the movies. However, it’s a very real technique used by wine-tasting professionals. The reason people slurp their wine is to add more oxygen to it, which will in turn awaken new aromas and flavours of the wine.