manners

“Wine is the most civilized thing in the world”
- Ernest Hemmingway.

It’s no surprise that wine has today become the vertebrae of engaging in India. Right from a dinner party or entertaining people at home, bottles of Champagne and shimmering glasses of red wine flow as smoothly as water. Sometimes, wine is also the center of topic as people evaluate and remark on the body, consistency, era or essence of the wine being served. No wonder that there is an immense pressure on anybody who is somebody to know the rudiments of this drink.

And so the problem arises. How do you astutely contribute to this conversation without sounding like someone who thinks Chardonnay was a stylish Italian actress? Such a goof-up would be the cause of great social embarrassment wont you agree?

But don’t give up hope just yet. You don’t need to drown yourself in books to learn about some simple pointers for wine. There are just some simple factors one needs to remember.

The basis of knowing wines lies in the grapes. For anybody whose only concern is making uplifting discussion on the topic, remember that wines are of two kinds. Red and White.

For Reds: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.

For Whites: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

• The pronunciation of these names is not very simple. I suggest you practice saying it in front of the mirror before you go public with it.

• You should always order white wine to begin with, and a red to compliment the main course.

• There is a certain order one must follow for wine tasting at a restaurant. Soberly offer your guest a taste of the wine. If he/she says a no, then don’t worry. Taste it yourself. The waiter will dispense a tiny quantity of wine in your glass. You rotate your wrist, holding the stem of the glass and then bring it up to your nose to take a whiff of the wine. Then take a tiny sip of the wine, and if pleasing to all your senses, communicate your approval to the waiter. Wait for him to fill both the glasses till a halfway mark, and then you can wish him cheers. Rest assured, you have made your impression.

• Many people often wonder about the precise way of holding the glass. Whilst you might want to act like a movie star by holding the glass in between your fingers and poised on your palm, but it may end up looking foolish. Therefore, holding the stem of the wine glass securely, together with your thumb, index and middle finger will give the glass much more stability. This technique also ensures that the temperature of your wine will remain steady. The more contact you will have with the cup of the glass, the more warm your wine will become.

Since wine is relatively new in India, the protocols are still quite bewildering for most people. So its time to shed the ignorance and learn these simple tips which will definitely make you more intellectual and interesting at your next gathering.

Enjoy!