When you invest in boutique wines, you’re in for a unique experience, and it’s important to understand how to get the most out of what your collection has to offer. Follow the rules of wine etiquette and you can turn your cellar, dining room, or patio into one of the best tasting rooms Yountville has to offer.
Select the right glassware
Not just a rumor, the shape of your wine glass can influence how well (or poorly) you can detect the subtleties in your wine. Different varietals show better in specific glass shapes and sizes.
- The 2021 Farina Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc would be enhanced when served in a stemmed glass with a smaller, more narrow bowl.
- The 2020 Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir would really shine in a stemmed glass with a very wide bowl.
- We suggest the 2019 Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon should be served in a stemmed glass with a taller, larger bowl.
Temperature matters, too
Properly chilled (or warmed) wine can significantly enhance your tasting experience. Here are the ideal serving temperatures for our wines.
- The 2021 Farina Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc should be served at 45°-50°F.
- The 2020 Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir can be served stored at 55° F.
- The 2018 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and other full-bodied red wines can be served stored at 59°-64° F.
Master the art of pouring
Pouring gracefully and efficiently adds elegance to your wine tasting experience. Knowing how much to pour in the glass will allow for optimal aeration and aroma release, while also adhering to proper serving etiquette.
- The proper amount to pour for a tasting or a flight is 2 ounces.
- The proper amount to pour in a glass is 6 ounces.
Here’s how to properly pour your Cornerstone Cellars wines:
- Have a clean napkin or cloth nearby.
- Leaving the wine glass on the table, hold your bottle from the bottom half and tilt the neck over your glass to pour.
- Pour slowly and steadily to allow for slight aeration.
- To finish, tilt the bottle upwards with a slight twisting motion.
- Wipe the bottle’s lip with your clean napkin to prevent wine from dripping down the bottle.
Create a Yountville wine tasting experience
To fully appreciate the complexity of your Cornerstone Cellars collection, follow this step-by-step guide to tasting wine. These techniques will elevate your wine-drinking experience, and you’ll feel like you’re hosting your very own Yountville wine tasting in your home.
- See – look at your wine. What color is it? How concentrated is the color?
- Swirl – Swirl the wine in your glass to release the aromatic compounds in the bowl of the glass.
- Sniff – Smell the wine. What aromas do you pick up on?
- Sip – Take a sip of the wine and notice any flavors or textures.
- Savor – Swirl the wine around in your mouth and take note of how flavors and texture develop, change, or fade. How long or short is the finish?
Dare to pair
To add a personal touch to your wine tasting, you can do what the best tasting rooms in Yountville do: pair your wine with food!
Whether you’re pairing the Farina Sauvignon Blanc with tortellini and arugula salad or the Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon with filet mignon, you can create harmonious pairings that enhance your wine and the dish you serve at the same time.