To serve wine, show the bottle to the host, open it at the table, pour the host a small taste, then serve the other guests and fill the host's glass last. Serve it at the right temperature and don't overfill. In the Western Cape, many guests know their wine, so get this right.
How do you open and serve a bottle of wine?
- 1Show the bottle to the host with the label facing them, and say the name of the wine.
- 2Cut the foil below the lip of the bottle.
- 3Put the corkscrew into the centre of the cork and draw it out gently, without a pop.
- 4Wipe the rim of the bottle.
- 5Pour a small taste for the host.
- 6Once the host approves, pour for the other guests, and the host last.
- 7Leave the bottle on the table or in an ice bucket, as the host prefers.
What temperature should wine be served at?
| Wine | Serve at |
|---|---|
| Sparkling | 6–8°C |
| White | 7–10°C |
| Light red | 12–14°C |
| Full-bodied red | 16–18°C |
"Room temperature" in a Cape Town summer is too warm for most reds. A few minutes in an ice bucket helps.
How much wine should you pour?
- Use your venue's house measure. 150 ml is a common pour for wine by the glass.
- Fill a wine glass no more than halfway, so guests can swirl.
- Fill champagne flutes about three-quarters full.
Which grape varieties should a waiter know?
- Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Merlot, Shiraz.
- Whites: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay.
Pinotage is a South African grape, so expect questions about it.
Common wine service mistakes
- Overfilling glasses, or serving wine too warm.
- Touching the glass with the bottle while pouring.
- Opening the bottle before showing it to the host.
- Forgetting to top up, or topping up too often.
To learn more, WSET and the Cape Wine Academy run wine courses. A certificate is worth adding to your CV.
If you can serve wine well, you can apply for waiter and bartender shifts in Cape Town.
