The tall, thin flute: perfect for bubbly

For champagne and sparkling wine there’s nothing better than the tall, thin flute, especially if you want to preserve the bubbles as long as possible. That’s what the narrow design and opening actually does. One tip to keep in mind is that you should avoid washing flutes in the dishwasher as the soap can coat the inside of the glass and stop bubbles forming when you pour out your champagne.

Smaller white wine glass: chilled to perfection

White wine glasses are a little smaller than your average red wine ones. That’s because you want to be filling the glasses with less wine and topping up more often – whites are generally chilled and if you leave it in the glass too long then it’s going to warm up. To keep it cooler for even longer, always hold the glass by the stem as much as you can.

Red wine glasses: the connoisseurs choice

Your ideal glass for red wine should be much bigger and that’s because you want to catch all those wonderful aromas and flavours as much as possible. You’ll want to move the wine around in the glass with a gentle swirling motion. A larger glass also enables your wine to breathe properly. There is a much wider range of red wine glasses on the market and it’s worth investing in a good quality set if you it’s an area that you want to explore more deeply.

Glasses for sweet and fortified wines

These are much smaller than other wine glasses, mainly because it’s not the kind of drink that you polish off in one sitting. There’s still room to swirl the wine around but you’ll be perhaps having one or two glasses at most. These are great for aperitifs before you start the main meal. People used to opt for the traditional sherry glass for this but it’s well worth investing in something a little more classic in design.

Do you need a decanter?

Most people, frankly, don’t bother with decanting – the process of gently pouring wine into an open container so that it can breathe. While it is often seen as an affectation, if you have a wine that comes with a sediment then it’s the best way to avoid those bits at the bottom getting stirred up. If you’re having a special meal, decanting can often provide a little drama to the occasion especially if you’re indulging in a high quality bottle of wine.

Cleaning your wine glasses

For normal wine glasses, some soapy water and a soft sponge will normally do the job and it’s always best to rinse properly under the hot water tap to get rid of the excess soap. Always use a cotton or linen cloth that is less likely to leave marks. If you have wine glasses that are ultra-thin and expensive, you probably don’t want to risk them in the sink. Boil the kettle and hold the glass upside down in the steam for a few seconds, then flick the moisture out. It takes a bit of technique but this is the best way to clean such glasses. To dry them, again use a linen cloth but make sure that you are very gentle and take your time. Browse our collection of flutes, wines, decanters as well as coolers, pourers and openers.

Ask First

It pays to find out what your host is rustling up for the dinner party and make your decision accordingly. Your choice will be different depending on whether you’re being invited for pizza or a full-blown gourmet experience. Some hosts plan things out to the nth degree and have the wine all planned. In which case you can ask what their favorite tipple is and get them a bottle of that as a gift. On the whole, however, you’ll be expected to bring a bottle of something for the meal so knowing what’s on the menu is vital.

Which Wine?

For those with little or no knowledge of wine, it’s always best to get some good advice from a local vintner or wine shop, someone who knows what they are talking about. If that’s not possible, there are plenty of resources online that can help you pick out a suitable wine to match the meal. Here are just a few things to think about.

Themed Nights

If you’re host is giving a themed night, then buy your wine to match. For example, if it’s a Spanish meal, you know to buy wine from that region. If they’re hosting a Thai curry night then you’ll want something that will offset or complement the spiciness of the food. If they’re vegetarians, don’t just assume that you need to bring white wine – there are plenty of red wines that go well with veggie dishes.

Trust Your Taste Buds

If you like your wine (and more importantly like a quality wine) choosing something that appeals to your palate makes sense. You’re then more likely to pick something others are going to enjoy and that’s the whole point of the evening.

The Cost of the Wine

Much will depend on who you are dining with but, if you want to be on the safe side, choosing a mid-range bottle of wine should fit the bill and prevent any embarrassment. These are normally between £10 and £20 and a fair exchange for the meal that’s being cooked for you. Pick a bottle that’s out of the ordinary compared to your standard supermarket fare – while the idea might make the most ardent connoisseur roll their eyes, an attractive label can make a big difference, especially if you are looking to impress.

Wine Parties

More and more people are having dinner parties where the wine is actually the more important part than the meal. These are great occasions for budding enthusiasts and a great way to theme an event. For example, you could hold a Pinot Noir party and ask your guests to bring a bottle from a specific region. You can then sit around and compare the different varieties. Think of it as a book club but for wine enthusiasts – paired with the right food it can give people plenty to talk about at the dinner.

Fish with red wine

Generally speaking, lighter reds are a better match for fish than those that are full-bodied. Any tannins in the wine are going to clash with the acidity of the fish leaving a metallic aftertaste, so it’s best to go for wines that are naturally low in tannins, such as Pinot Noir or Gamay. 

Meatier fish, such as tuna or monkfish, often overwhelm light whites, so a red with a little bit of body leads to a much better balance. As with any dish, it is also the way the fish is cooked and the accompanying sauces that dictate which wine will work best. 

Tuna

A simple seared tuna dish is a great match for a lighter red such as a Chinon (Loire Valley) or a simple Burgundy red. If you’re adding a bit of spice or chargrilling, you can even afford to be a little bolder with your wine choice. Something like a young Italian Barbera is low in tannin but has loads of dark cherry and plum character to stand up to the stronger flavors. 

Monkfish

Another textured fish, monkfish often suits a red, particularly if it has been cooked in a red wine sauce. If it is simply roasted, it goes really well with a French or German Pinot Noir which tends to have more refreshing acidity compared to New World examples. Monkfish, especially when cooked in red wine sauce, also works well with Merlot.

But let’s not forget rosé, afterall it is such a versatile and food-friendly wine, and that definitely includes fish. 

Salmon

A bold rosé, such as Bandol or Tavel (Rhône Valley), is a great match for a seared salmon steak. 

For more delicate salmon dishes such as sashimi or ceviche, pair with a really crisp, elegant rosé, such as a Provence rosé. In fact, rosé wine is an ideal partner to most salmon dishes. This also applies to the sparkling rosé which goes well as the bubbles contrast nicely with the soft texture of the fish. 

Fish with sparkling wine

Speaking of sparkling wine, we can’t overlook a bit of fizz as an accompaniment to fish dishes. 

Fish and chips

Everyone knows about fish and chips and bubbles, right? The refreshing acidity of the wine works perfectly with the richness of the fried food and makes the fish and chips taste lighter. You can use any bubbly with high acidity, like English Sparkling Wine, a dry Prosecco or Champagne for a more refined experience. 

Oysters

But sparkling wine works with so many other fish or seafood dishes. Another classic match is a bone dry fizz, such as a Brut Nature Champagne where the bubbles match brilliantly with the soft texture of oysters. 

So next time you’re looking for a wine to have with fish, you can be bold, explore some options and try something a little different!