Question from a wine nerd. My wife and I have been to a high end steak house in Dallas twice in the last month. We have ordered multiple wines and I have asked for each of them to be decanted. Each time they would go to the corner of the restaurant and open and decant there. Then they would bring it over to us in the decanter. We would have to ask them to bring the empty bottle over after. My question is, "is this normal?" I feel that the bottle should be opened and decanted at the table. If I am wrong please let me know.
ehhhh... most restaurants don't have the space / side tables that we see here in this video, even if they are high end. For plenty of restaurants here in NYC, decanting is done in the side station. In truth, doing it in front of your guests or not is neither right nor wrong, and just depends on the restaurant. Sliante!
Wine nerd here too. We had a similar problem the other day. The restaurant is not real upscale however they brought the bottle to us already opened. I think this is a no no because the guest should be sure of what they are getting. I hope you enjoyed your multiple wines and dinner!
@@michelleneuman579 already opened is a definite no-no whatever the restaurant. On decanting - fine to decant away from the table if there is no room (should NOT be done on the guest's table) but the bottle/cork should be presented and taster poured for fault check.
I guess it's either they don't have wine stand and space for it or no one is skilled enough to open a corked wine smoothly in front of the guest (which is most likely the case) I should know coz I did it 🤣 I am guilty of it, first time I did it in-front of the guest, I cut myself coz I was too nervous, I didn't have enough grip and my hands were shaking. I learnt the hard way. Opening corked wines is a Waiter's nightmare not unless if you're a Sommelier.
I just have a few small thoughts though, might be not correct but: - decanting should be done with waiting too as the wine itself needs oxidizing. - while removing the foil he should have not touched the upper part of the red wine bottle, as the hand's warmth may affect the wine and also because of hygienic reasons (as from 1:31 on he held the bottle's neck all the time).
I take a taste when serving decanted wine a s a way of tracking their quality over their ageing period. these wines dont get served like your by the glass range, or do you often taste older wines with reps etc. my guests will generally like to have a wee chat as we both taste and we can talk about the quality. every place is different but thats how we roll and our guests expect it. i also never drink all of my tasting glass and offer it to other servers to help educate their palate
There are two views to this. Aged wines can suffer with oxidation (bitter), corking (wet, musty) and so on. If the server tastes first, then they can tell the customer the wine is spoiled, and fetch another bottle without the customer having to try a spoiled wine, or perhaps force themselves to drink it as they aren't confident enough to send it back. The second view is that the server should NOT taste the wine, as taste is subjective, and one persons "spoiled" wine is another's "nicely aged" wine. If the server tastes, and approves the wine, but the customer then disapproves it, you have set up the circumstances for an unnesessary argument - if the server doesn't taste it, then there is no argument.
This should only be performed by a certified sommelier, not a server. Additionally, it is completely unnecessary if the bottle is not a super-premium producer at a significant age. A certified sommelier would have both the natural discrimination and the rank to suggest that s/he should taste the wine as well. To be fair, the video does admit that the guest should approve, and in such a situation, even a certified sommelier would know to suggest politely beforehand. It is definitely on a case-to-case basis.
I was surprised that an ordinary dinner tray and tray stand were used while being repeatedly referred to as the "Gueridon" (one presumes that, like the actor playing the server, the tray and stand were also actors playing the "role" of a gueridon...) That, as well as the absence of white gloves on the server ... who was mysteriously standing in for a sommelier ... made me question the authenticity of this video. (We won't even get into his obvious lack of experience using the serviette properly, and the fact that in very fine restaurants a full suite of crystal are part of the place settings, and goblets are removed if not needed, never, ever, filled on the side stand and carried over!) . The server did, however, do a perfectly acceptable casual wine service similar to what one might do in a very informal setting (except the glasses would still be on the table, not on the tray).
Good question. The flame creates a light that shines through the neck of the bottle, so that you can see when to stop pouring. Wines at a significant age accumulate sediment, and you wouldn't want this to be poured into the decanter. It should be left in the bottle and consumed according to the guest's preference. The custom is quite old, which is why a candle is still used. I use a lighter tableside in my restaurant, which is perfectly appropriate as we are not following Michelin-star service protocols.
As I checked, first reason is to separate the sediments of the wine which particularly comes from the vintage wines. Because as they age more in the bottle, the sediments go down and it is not good to have in your wine, right? Next is to let the flavor and aroma of the wine come out and improve by process of aeration. From (www.thekitchn.com/do-you-have-a-wine-145131)
Most of red wines over 10 years should be decanted, because of sediment on bottom of the bottle which is mixed would taste bitter/ and can spoil whole bottle. However, if bottle is shaken, should be left still for about few minutes/ sediment will lay down and wine can be decanted! This video is very useful for beginners! Again from country to country is different, but there is standard in wine service!
Good question. In addition to preventing sediment from being mixed with the wine, using a decanter greatly speeds up the "breathing" process. Most super-premium bottles should be allowed to breathe (have contact with the air) for at least two hours before consuming, to enjoy their full flavor profile. Since most guests will be consuming their wine immediately, pouring the wine into a decanter fully aerates it and opens it up faster.
@@LuisGonzalez-qp1tp his fingerprints are going to be left on the decanter, well for hygienic reasons and for the looks of it, probably not right? That decanter should be held by two hands if necessary.
You have one of the best wine training videos here on TH-cam. Thank you so much.
How do I apply for the job of the guy who sits at the table and drinks?
Perfect serving!!!
Thank you so much for development our knowledge
_Love this channel_
I find a little bit strage to take the decanter from the neck to serve ...and probably I will choose a larger decanter for bolgheri superiore
Question from a wine nerd. My wife and I have been to a high end steak house in Dallas twice in the last month. We have ordered multiple wines and I have asked for each of them to be decanted. Each time they would go to the corner of the restaurant and open and decant there. Then they would bring it over to us in the decanter. We would have to ask them to bring the empty bottle over after. My question is, "is this normal?" I feel that the bottle should be opened and decanted at the table. If I am wrong please let me know.
you are not wrong, ask them to decant it in front of you.
ehhhh... most restaurants don't have the space / side tables that we see here in this video, even if they are high end. For plenty of restaurants here in NYC, decanting is done in the side station. In truth, doing it in front of your guests or not is neither right nor wrong, and just depends on the restaurant. Sliante!
Wine nerd here too. We had a similar problem the other day. The restaurant is not real upscale however they brought the bottle to us already opened. I think this is a no no because the guest should be sure of what they are getting. I hope you enjoyed your multiple wines and dinner!
@@michelleneuman579 already opened is a definite no-no whatever the restaurant. On decanting - fine to decant away from the table if there is no room (should NOT be done on the guest's table) but the bottle/cork should be presented and taster poured for fault check.
I guess it's either they don't have wine stand and space for it or no one is skilled enough to open a corked wine smoothly in front of the guest (which is most likely the case) I should know coz I did it 🤣 I am guilty of it, first time I did it in-front of the guest, I cut myself coz I was too nervous, I didn't have enough grip and my hands were shaking. I learnt the hard way. Opening corked wines is a Waiter's nightmare not unless if you're a Sommelier.
Who is still using a candle?
I just have a few small thoughts though, might be not correct but:
- decanting should be done with waiting too as the wine itself needs oxidizing.
- while removing the foil he should have not touched the upper part of the red wine bottle, as the hand's warmth may affect the wine and also because of hygienic reasons (as from 1:31 on he held the bottle's neck all the time).
Its actually normal to hold the upper part of it since he needs to stabilize the bottle while opening the wine
Is very very nice service!!
Thank you for your help
Perfect !
Couldn't fault it
And one for yourself? Why? I have never heard that before!
I take a taste when serving decanted wine a s a way of tracking their quality over their ageing period. these wines dont get served like your by the glass range, or do you often taste older wines with reps etc. my guests will generally like to have a wee chat as we both taste and we can talk about the quality. every place is different but thats how we roll and our guests expect it. i also never drink all of my tasting glass and offer it to other servers to help educate their palate
There are two views to this. Aged wines can suffer with oxidation (bitter), corking (wet, musty) and so on. If the server tastes first, then they can tell the customer the wine is spoiled, and fetch another bottle without the customer having to try a spoiled wine, or perhaps force themselves to drink it as they aren't confident enough to send it back.
The second view is that the server should NOT taste the wine, as taste is subjective, and one persons "spoiled" wine is another's "nicely aged" wine. If the server tastes, and approves the wine, but the customer then disapproves it, you have set up the circumstances for an unnesessary argument - if the server doesn't taste it, then there is no argument.
This should only be performed by a certified sommelier, not a server. Additionally, it is completely unnecessary if the bottle is not a super-premium producer at a significant age. A certified sommelier would have both the natural discrimination and the rank to suggest that s/he should taste the wine as well. To be fair, the video does admit that the guest should approve, and in such a situation, even a certified sommelier would know to suggest politely beforehand. It is definitely on a case-to-case basis.
Thank you for the video,
Muy hermoso, muchas gracias
How useful video for me.
How to clear the table after that
Excelent 👌🏾
Que lindo fuera. Verlo en Español
I was surprised that an ordinary dinner tray and tray stand were used while being repeatedly referred to as the "Gueridon" (one presumes that, like the actor playing the server, the tray and stand were also actors playing the "role" of a gueridon...)
That, as well as the absence of white gloves on the server ... who was mysteriously standing in for a sommelier ... made me question the authenticity of this video. (We won't even get into his obvious lack of experience using the serviette properly, and the fact that in very fine restaurants a full suite of crystal are part of the place settings, and goblets are removed if not needed, never, ever, filled on the side stand and carried over!) .
The server did, however, do a perfectly acceptable casual wine service similar to what one might do in a very informal setting (except the glasses would still be on the table, not on the tray).
Newbie i just wondering what's the candle stand for?
2:17
Good question. The flame creates a light that shines through the neck of the bottle, so that you can see when to stop pouring. Wines at a significant age accumulate sediment, and you wouldn't want this to be poured into the decanter. It should be left in the bottle and consumed according to the guest's preference. The custom is quite old, which is why a candle is still used. I use a lighter tableside in my restaurant, which is perfectly appropriate as we are not following Michelin-star service protocols.
why wine need to be decanted?
As I checked, first reason is to separate the sediments of the wine which particularly comes from the vintage wines. Because as they age more in the bottle, the sediments go down and it is not good to have in your wine, right? Next is to let the flavor and aroma of the wine come out and improve by process of aeration. From (www.thekitchn.com/do-you-have-a-wine-145131)
Most of red wines over 10 years should be decanted, because of sediment on bottom of the bottle which is mixed would taste bitter/ and can spoil whole bottle. However, if bottle is shaken, should be left still for about few minutes/ sediment will lay down and wine can be decanted! This video is very useful for beginners! Again from country to country is different, but there is standard in wine service!
Good question. In addition to preventing sediment from being mixed with the wine, using a decanter greatly speeds up the "breathing" process. Most super-premium bottles should be allowed to breathe (have contact with the air) for at least two hours before consuming, to enjoy their full flavor profile. Since most guests will be consuming their wine immediately, pouring the wine into a decanter fully aerates it and opens it up faster.
and then grab the decanter by the neck....how disgraceful!
Care to elaborate
@@LuisGonzalez-qp1tp his fingerprints are going to be left on the decanter, well for hygienic reasons and for the looks of it, probably not right? That decanter should be held by two hands if necessary.
@EaqIe care to elaborate?
This is why most Michelin-star service is performed using white gloves, which removes the problem of fingerprints and hand oils.
졸라 근사하다
Guado al Tasso
Exactly, very nice bottle!