Banfi Vintners

The Art of Opening a Screw Cap

The “art” you’re asking yourself? The romance and ritual associated with the traditional cork closure may never be replaced by the simple straightforward screw cap. There will always be the oenophile at the table who will look askance at any bottle sealed with this modern closure and the sommelier who may feel his mastery of the art of uncorking a bottle is less valued than it was before.

While there will certainly be some wine lovers who will always carry the torch for the cork, you may be able to make some converts with a ritual devised by some talented sommeliers from Down Under. It may be more for show than effect, but it may  make even the stodgiest wine lover crack a smile.

It’s simple to master: Firmly grip the cap with one hand and rotate the bottle slowly from below with the other hand until you hear the reassuring “crack.” Next, position the loosened cap against your forearm and proceed to roll it toward your hand, making sure that the the cap comes off as the bottle enters your palm.

As we said before, this ritual is more for fun than anything else.

Wait for the nod

After opening the bottle, pour the host a two-ounce sample so that he or she can evaluate the wine.

With his or her nod, ask “Will everyone at the table be having wine?”

Among those drinking wine, fill the glasses according to the traditional wine service pattern.

  • Moving counterclockwise, serve the ladies.
  • Moving clockwise, serve the men.
  • Finish with the host, regardless of gender.

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At the gala opening of a prestigious upper-end chain restaurant, two women ordered a bottle of wine.

The server, who was also a woman, returned with the bottle, popped the cork, then proceeded to fill the host’s glass to the rim saying, “Since it’s just you two ladies, I won’t bother to go through that whole dog and pony show of letting you taste the wine before I pour. I’ll just fill ’er up.”

Little did she know, she was pouring for the “undercover” customer who worked for corporate headquarters to make sure service was up to snuff.

The moral of the story? Don’t discount your female customers as lacking in wine savvy. It might just cost you your job.

Do not lift the wine glass from the table when filling the glass.

Wine glasses should only be filled one-half to one-third full.