Whether attending a wine party, a wine dinner or even a gathering between friends, as long as it involves a variety of wines, there will be issues of order. Many people disagree with the order of serving wine and always think that drinking whatever they want is the best. However, considering the taste and intensity of the wine as well as the needs of catering, it is very important to master the order of serving. For example: there is a very sweet orange and a candy on the table, but you choose to eat the candy first，then eat the orange, you will find that the orange is not sweet at all. Many people have this kind of experience, and I believe everyone understands this truth. In the same way, the order of drinking wine is also very important.
General rules of common serving order
(1) Dry wine first, sweet wine later
The human tongue is very sensitive to sweetness. If you drink sweet wine first, it is difficult to distinguish the flavor characteristics of dry wine, which is not conducive to tasting or enjoying wine. Furthermore, if you drink the sweet type first and then the dry type, the long aftertaste of the sweet wine will affect the taste of the latter, and even make it more sour.
(2) White wine is first, red wine is later
Since white wines contain less tannins, and compared to red wines, white wines tend to be fresher and lighter, so it is preferred to drink them so as not to be overwhelmed by the heavy flavor of red wines.
(3) Light-bodied wines are preferred, full-bodied wines are followed
Tasting a light-bodied wine first can make it easier to perceive its delicate and elegant beauty without affecting the complexity of subsequent tasting full-bodied wines. However, if the order is reversed, then the full-bodied wines that are preferred to drink will overwhelm the latter's flavor, thus making it cannon fodder.
(4) Sparkling wine is first, still wine is later
Generally speaking, sparkling wine is lighter, crisper, fresher and more lively than still wine. It is suitable as an appetizer for pre-dinner wine, so it is generally consumed first. For a variety of sparkling wines of different styles, the same principle is to follow the principle of white first, then red, and dry first and sweet.
(5) Young wine is given priority, old wine is later
In general, drinking wine should be simple first and then complicated. Some young wines that are not suitable for aging are generally relatively simple. Most old wines are aged in oak barrels, and long-term cellaring gives them a series of complex aromas and flavors. , So it is more suitable to drink later.
(6) Fortified wine last
Compared with non-fortified wines, fortified wines have higher alcohol content and richer taste, so they are more suitable for final consumption.
Practical rules of common serving order
(2) The order of serving wine during catering
The order of serving wine is very important, especially in formal dinners. A good order not only allows the wine to fully demonstrate its charm, but also enhances the dining experience. Conversely, both wine and food may become dull. A formal dinner usually includes appetizers, dinners and desserts. Different cuisines are suitable for different wines. This is also an important reason why wine is divided into pre-dinner wine, table wine and after-dinner wine. In other words, the order of serving wine in a formal dinner is generally not wrong according to the order of serving. As follows:
Appetizer: suitable for dry sherry, dry champagne or dry white wine.
Soup: Pair with White Bourgogne, dry champagne or sherry (when sherry is used as a soup seasoning).
Fish: paired with dry champagne or dry white wine, such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
Poultry: paired with dry champagne or dry white wine, such as Alsace, Pinot Blanc, Semillon, Sylvaner or Traminer.
Game: paired with dry red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Barbera, or Burgundy first-class garden/superior garden and Beaujolais super-class village.
Red meat: paired with dry red wine, such as Bordeaux red or Burgundy red.
Salad: generally not with wine.
Cheese: paired with an after-dinner wine, such as Madeira, Muscatel, Tawny Port, Sweet Sherry or Tokaj.
Sweet food: sweet champagne or sweet white wine, such as Madeira, Sauternes or sweet Sherry.
Fruit: dessert wine (including sparkling wine and still wine);
Chocolate: Porter or Cream Sherry .
The most important point: If you really can’t figure out the order of serving wine, the best way is to clean your mouth between drinking (such as drinking some water or eating a piece of white bread, etc.), especially after drinking Lafite and other heavy-tasting wines Afterwards, it is best not to drink champagne immediately, lest the flavor of the last wine interferes with the subsequent wine tasting.
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