Wine experts reveal their genius hacks

Whether it’s the ‘right’ way to swirl, the ultimate blend or the perfect pairing, wine fans all have their favourite ways of enjoying a tipple. 

But now a panel of some of Australia’s leading wine experts have revealed their tried and tested tricks for getting the most out of a drop. 

From stain removal methods to chilling tips, the group finally shared their best kept secrets at the Dan Murphy Decoded Wine Awards. 

A panel of some of Australia’s leading wine experts have revealed their tried and tested tricks for getting the most out of a drop. 

Use a vase as a decanter

If you don’t have a decanter, wine merchant Malisa Caroselli from Western Australia suggested using a simple vase to decant your wine. 

‘It’s all about creating surface space for oxygen to work its magic and open up the wine,’ she said.

Swirl your wine – but not your bubbles

Wine panel and head of auctions at Langton’s Tamara Grischy said it’s very important to swirl wine but not sparkling wine.

She said that swirling your glass before smelling and tasting the beverage ‘opens up the aromas’. 

‘However, avoid swirling your glass when drinking sparkling wine as you’ll shake the bubbles out,’ she said. 

Wine buyer Mark Samaha (pictured) recommended putting all wines in the fridge including full bodied red wine

Wine buyer Mark Samaha (pictured) recommended putting all wines in the fridge including full bodied red wine

Put ALL wines in the fridge

Wine buyer Mark Samaha recommends putting all wines in the fridge including full bodied red wine. 

He said they become much more refreshing and ‘evolve and change personality as the wine warms up in the glass, both aromatically and also flavour wise’.

‘The fridge is also the best way to store an opened bottle of wine: it helps slow down the oxidation of the wine, so you get to enjoy it for longer,’ he said.

Remove red wine stains with salt 

If you’ve ever spilt red wine on your favourite piece of clothing, then you know how hard it is to get the stain out.

But head of Fine Wine, Andrew Shedden said that salt is the secret to removing that tough stain.

‘First blot the stain with a piece of dry paper towel, then cover the stain in salt and let it sit for 45mins,’ he said.

‘Finally, press gently on the stain with a cloth soaked in boiling water and the stain is gone.’ 

The Australian experts shared their tips at Dan Murphy's Decoded Wine Awards on Wednesday night

The Australian experts shared their tips at Dan Murphy’s Decoded Wine Awards on Wednesday night

Expert Nick Rose (pictured) said if your bottle of wine is at room temperature and you want to chill it fast, wrap it in a paper towel and place it in your freezer

Expert Nick Rose (pictured) said if your bottle of wine is at room temperature and you want to chill it fast, wrap it in a paper towel and place it in your freezer

Keep an empty half bottle handy

Dan Murphy’s expert Gary Braidner has recommended keeping empty piccolos and half wine bottles with a screw top to store leftover wine. 

He said it’s important to fill smaller bottles to the rim to keep as much oxygen out as possible. 

Gary said: ‘Oxygen is wine’s biggest enemy, so by eliminating most of it, the wine will keep for weeks.’

Experts reveal 12 simple tips for wine lovers

1. Use a vase as a decanter

2. Swirl your wine  but not your bubbles

3. Put ALL wines in the fridge

4. Remove red wine stains with salt

5. Keep an empty half bottle handy

6. Choose the right wine glass

7. Chill wine with a paper towel

8. Take a picture if you like the wine

9. Speed up decanting with two jugs

10. Freeze leftover wine and use for cooking

11. Be ahead of the trend 

12. Use your kitchen sink as an ice bucket

Choose the right wine glass  

It’s important to drink your wine out of the right glass, wine merchant Chris Gollogly from Tasmania explained. 

He said: ‘The bigger the bowl, the better the swirl and the more a wine can open up and express it’s true personality.’

Chill wine with a paper towel

If your bottle of wine is at room temperature and you want to chill it fast, wrap it in a paper towel and place it in your freezer.

Assistant category manager at Fine Wine, Nick Rose said you’ll only have to wait 15 to 20 minutes before your drink is cold.

‘The paper towel freezes quickly and because it’s in direct contact with the glass, the bottle will chill down super quick.’

Take a picture if you like the wine 

Wine merchant, Ben Moroney from New South Wales has suggested taking a photo of a label you like.

‘Even if we don’t have the exact wine, we will be able to help you find something they will love,’ he said.

Speed up decanting with two jugs 

Decanting is the process of pouring the wine from one bottle to another to separate sediment, but it can take at least an hour for the wine to open up. 

The head of Dan Murphy’s wine panel Peter Nixon said you can speed up the process by ‘pouring the wine fast and furious into a jug, then pour it multiple times between another’.

If you don't have a decanter, wine merchant Malisa Caroselli (pictured) suggested using a vase to store your wine

If you don’t have a decanter, wine merchant Malisa Caroselli (pictured) suggested using a vase to store your wine

One expert recommended pouring left over wine into ice trays and placing them in the freezer to use for cooking

One expert recommended pouring left over wine into ice trays and placing them in the freezer to use for cooking

Freeze leftover wine and use for cooking 

Wine merchant Kathy Gertau, from South Australia, has recommended pouring left over wine into ice trays and placing them in the freezer.

‘Next time you’re cooking and the recipe requires wine, you don’t have to open a new bottle. And no, the freezing of the wine does not impact the taste of it,’ she said. 

Be ahead of the trend  

‘Five years ago, Chardonnay was out of vogue and you would have been able to get some great bargains,’ wine merchant Nick Veanes said. 

‘Cabernet Sauvignon seems to be be coming back in fashion soon again, so you can get some incredible deals.’

Use your kitchen sink  

If you’re hosting a party and need an extra ice bucket, wine buyer Ian Wolfe suggests using your kitchen sink.

He said if you don’t have room in your fridge, just fill the sink with ice and place the wine bottle in it.

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