Do you consider yourself a wine connoisseur, or maybe you’re working towards being one, glass by glass? There’s a lot to know about wine. And, just when you think you know everything, you learn something new. Here are some wine hacks that even the most knowledgeable wine drinker might not have heard of.
You Can Chill Wine in the Freezer
For a quick chill, wrap the unopened bottle in a wet dish towel or wet paper towels. It only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get it to the right temperature.
Use Frozen Grapes to Chill Wine
Keep a few grapes in the freezer for when you need to chill a glass quickly. They make great ice cubes, and you get a little treat when your glass is empty.
The Value of a Decanter
You don’t always see wine being poured from a decanter, but when you do, you expect something special, right. It’s purpose is to enhance the flavor, aroma, and texture of the wine.
Wines are a delicate balance of grapes, fermentation, and the nuances of flavor that the wine makers add when creating their varietals. Decanting a bottle of wine lets it breathe, releasing the full embodiment of the wine’s essence. It can also help to remove any sediment in older bottles of wine.
Use Coffee Filters to Remove Cork Pieces
Instead of trying to fish out those little pieces when the cork doesn’t come out cleanly, just filter the wine through a coffee filter.
5 Use Plastic Wrap to Keep Wine Fresh
Once the bottle is opened, it should be good for a few days if it’s sealed. If the cork is shot, just wrap the top of the bottle with plastic wrap.
Save Old Wine
You don’t necessarily have to toss wine after it’s been opened for a few days. Freeze your wine in ice cube trays before it goes bad.
- You can use the frozen cubes when you need a little for cooking.
- They can also be used to cool similar wines, although that might be something you save just for yourself.
- You can also use them to make wine slushies. Pop them in the blender with some fresh fruit and juice for a refreshing summer cocktail.
Wine Popsicles
You can freeze wine in popsicle trays for a tasty, adult, summer treat.
Use a Blender as a Decanter
You’ll lose a lot of the flair that goes along with swirling wine in a decanter. But, a few seconds in a blender on low speed will be almost as good as the real thing to help the wine breathe.
Have You Ever Been Caught Without a Corkscrew?
That can be frustrating, to say the least. The next time that happens, try pushing the cork all the way into the bottle with a screwdriver. Or, you could gently twist a screw into the cork and use a hammer to slowly ease the cork out of the bottle.
