VineSugar FAQs

Should I chill red wines?

Should I chill red wines?
Most reds are served at cool room temperature (65-68 degF) in order to enhance their bouquet, although some people prefer a very slight chill in the refrigerator just prior to serving and/or in warm weather months. The only ones that don’t taste good cold are very full-bodied tannic reds such as Bordeaux clarets or Italian reds like Barolo.

Posted by Suggestion on Dec 03, 2006 10:44 am

How can I remove red wine stains from my Riedel crystal wine glasses?

How can I remove red wine stains from my Riedel crystal wine glasses?

Crystal is porous and can absorb flavors – particularly soapy flavors – with relative ease. If this absorption happens, you might have a clean wine glass, but you will also have a wine glass that alters the flavor of your wine, adding in a dollop of detergent. Try soaking the glasses with plain white vinegar, if that doesn't work, scrub with a non-abrasive cloth and some baking soda.

Posted by Suggestion on Nov 21, 2006 5:00 pm

Should a wine cork be red (for a red wine) when removed from a wine bottle? Why?

Should a wine cork be red (for a red wine) when removed from a wine bottle? Why?
Cork is porous and will absorbs some of the liquid it's in contact with over time. This is ok and doesn't harm anything UNLESS you see that the cork has absorbed wine from one end of the cork to the other. This is an indication that the cork is failing and letting air through. Check to make sure the wine hasn't gone bad before you go pouring it for your gests.

Posted by Suggestion on Nov 13, 2006 6:46 pm

How do you get red wine stains out of teeth?

How do you get red wine stains out of teeth?
Word on the street was there are two great on the spot ways of removing the red wine stains from your teeth, Go Smile Dailies ($28) and Oral B Brush Ups ($3.57). Go Smile does a really good job of whitening teeth and removing a lot of the purple. Brush Ups do a great job of freshening your breath but don't really remove much of the red stain from our teeth. To remove the red stains from your lips put some Chapstick on and then wipe it off with a paper towel. Your lips with be soft and clear.

Posted by Suggestion on Nov 12, 2006 6:53 am

How long can I celler a bottle of wine for?

How long can I celler a bottle of wine for?
Depends on thousands of factors and is quite possible an impossible questions to answer. A handful of issues include: the type of wine, the vintage, the region of the grapes, the wine making process, the storage conditions, the amout of time that has already passed... When in doubt, drink it early. Better to enjoy it young that wait to long and have it go bad.

Posted by Suggestion on Nov 07, 2006 9:12 pm

Where can I buy Principato Rosato wine?

Where can I buy Principato Rosato wine?
At the Olive Garden. Outside of this chain, you won't find it readily available. It is specifically made for the Olive Garden and not sold in retail outlets. It's distributed by Palm Bay Imports in Florida. They are a wholesaler, not a retailer.

If your state acts as the sole disributor of wine/spirits in your state, you can find these wines in their stores (i.e. state-run liquor stores) Otherwise, individual retailers do not carry this wine as it is exclusive to the Olive Garden. The only reason you can buy it at the state-run stores is because even the Olive Garden has to go to one of these and buy it in these states. There are only a few states that are set up like this: PA, GA, and TX.

Posted by Suggestion on Nov 07, 2006 8:53 am

Once wine is chilled, if I don't open the bottle, can I let it warm up and store it in a ...

Once wine is chilled, if I don't open the bottle, can I let it warm up and store it in a non-refrigerated area.
Sure. Just don't repeat this change in temperature too many times. As long as the change in temperature is gradual and the frequency of this swap is minimal, your wine will be ok.

Posted by Suggestion on Nov 06, 2006 3:58 pm

How do I increase the humidity in a dry space?

How do I increase the humidity in a dry space?

I've heard all sorts of tricks will work such as buckets of wet sand, damp sponges and even a simple bowl of water. Ideally, a cellar should be with 60-80% humidity, free from vibration, have a small amount of ventilation and maintain a steady temperature.

Posted by Suggestion on Nov 05, 2006 5:39 pm

How can I remove lime stains (white milky stains) from crystal glasses?

How can I remove lime stains (white milky stains) from crystal glasses?
Crystal is very delicate, owing to the lead oxides used to make it dense and "sparkly". The very lead oxide that makes your crystal reflective, causes the glass to be softer, and prone to scratches.

Crystal should be hand washed, using warm water to wash and rinse, as this kind of glass is sensitive to temperature changes. I would start with the diluted vinegar on a very soft cloth. If the stains persist, try other methods, such as the denture cleaner or Lime Eater, saving the mixture of baking soda and lemon juice as a last resort, to avoid the possibility of scratches.

Posted by Suggestion on Oct 22, 2006 1:55 pm

What is the best method to heat red wine to room temperature?

What is the best method to heat red wine to room temperature?
If your bottle of red wine is way too cold, the best way to get the wine to the correct serving temperature without drastic or barbaric measures would be to simply let the bottle sit on your counter and gradually come to room temp. Then to get it to the optimum 60-65 degrees, toss it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Posted by Suggestion on Oct 19, 2006 1:08 pm