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Knowing do’s and don’ts when serving wine adds sophistication to your entertaining.

Do’s

* Serving excellent wine with a bit of style helps set the atmosphere for a special party. Entertaining can be just as enjoyable and refreshing as your glass of vine!

* Do serve wine in any glass you feel comfortable with and you enjoy using.

* I am sure you have heard that red wines should be served in round, deep glasses and white wines in tall steep glasses, however, I grew up on the Adriatic coast, hailing from the Mediterranean and we drink from any glass as long as the wine tastes good! Serve your Pinot Grigio in whichever glass you prefer whether tall or short, delicate or sturdy, pretty or swanky! In Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, some wineglasses don’t even have stems, meaning that many Europeans are sipping Pinot Grigio from a glass resembling a small U.S. juice glass!

* Do learn how to open wine elegantly.

* Know your corkscrew when entertaining. For the grand opening, choose a trusted corkscrew that works for you rather than a new one and its always a good idea to have a back-up corkscrew on hand. Today there are many different types of corkscrews available some with arms, some with legs. With all these twists and turns in design, the corkscrew can be an expression of your personal style!

* Do serve Pinot Grigio in place of sparkling wines.

* Not only is Pinot Grigio chic, it is a fabulous alternative to the sparkling wines and champagnes used for toasts. The wine is also a great complement to hors d’oeuvres and party snacks!

* Do store wine in the fridge and use the leftovers.

* It is proper wine-serving etiquette to always ask guests permission before refilling their glasses!

* Opened wine can be stored for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

* Invite your friends over the evening after the party to help finish off the leftovers!

Don’t
* Don’t run out of wine.

* Be sure to get a good estimate of the number of sippers to plan accordingly for wine purchases. One bottle of wine fills about 4-5 glasses. Remember that glasses should be approximately 2/3 full. While many guests will gladly enjoy another glass, it is proper wine-serving etiquette to always ask their permission before refilling glasses!

* Make sure you don’t spill any wine, especially red, on your guests or table linens or rug.

* For a tidy serve, simply end the pour with a slight twist. Just in case of dripping, it never hurts to have a napkin within reach!

* Don’t get overwhelmed by food and wine pairings.

* Experiment with wine and food pairings. As a general rule, dark wines go with heavier foods and lighter wines go well with lighter foods. Chianti and Pinot Grigio are perfect examples; pair a crisp Pinot Grigio with dishes such as seafood, poultry and vegetables. On the other hand, a rich, fruit forward Chianti goes best with any type of pasta, game or beef.

* Don’t serve just two varieties.

* Mix it up a little! Have several types of wine on hand- you’ll be increasing everyone’s wine savviness by exposing your guests to new wines. Offer several red varietals such as Merlot, Chianti and Sauvignons as your red wine selections.

* Here is to your health, Salute, Votre sant�, and Nazdravlje.

Tips for storing and serving wine to help you become an entertainer with savvy!

* A Smart and Savvy Start. Storing wine correctly is the key to serving with style. To keep wine at its optimum flavor, it’s important to get the basics right: time and place.

* Store all unopened wine in a cool, dry place, away from extreme temperature variation and sunlight. When storing wine for an extended period of time, neither the refrigerator nor the freezer is the place to be! Try storing wine in the closet, which usually maintains a stable temperature.

* By storing the bottle on its side, the cork can remain moist. This means that the cork is less likely to crack or break when opening.

* Very few wines are to be aged for years and years. However red wines may get better with age, if stored properly, and can be stored for up to three years from the year listed on the vintage. Once opened, white and red wine can be stored for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. A vacuum wine sealer is an excellent tool to keep an opened bottle of wine fresh for several days after opening.

* Successful Serving. Demonstrating proper wine serving etiquette will impress your guests and prevent spills. With careful planning, you�ll be on your way to wine-serving stardom!

Votre sante!!!!!!

Live and love passionately. Don’t drink and drive.