It’s no secret that we are big fans of wine around here. While I love learning about wine, I also know it can be a little intimidating at first. So, I thought it might be fun to put together a post with some frequently asked questions about wine. If you have more, leave them in the comments and we will add to this post over time!
Related: Have you ever made mulled wine? So good! Or try a white wine spritzer. And you can learn 4 ways to gift wrap a bottle wine.
Common Questions About Wine
Frequently Asked Questions
How many glasses in a bottle of wine?
A standard size bottle of wine will yield five glasses of wine, each around 5 ounces.
How many ounces are in a bottle of wine?
A standard size bottle has 25 ounces, or 750 ml.
What temperature should white wine be served at?
White wine is typically served at 45°F to 50°F (or 7°C to 10°C). Most household refrigerators are set to 35°F to 37°F (or 1.5°C to 2.5°C), so they are a little colder than white wine needs to be. That being said, I usually just store mine in our refrigerator and it works fine.
What is a serving size of wine?
A standard pour for both white and red wine is 5 ounces. However, different style glasses can hold more, so if you are serving the wine yourself, you can certainly deviate. One thing to consider: Chilled wines should be served in smaller quantities so they will stay cold as you sip them.
What are some high quality red wine brands that are common and easy to find?
Here are 10+ great red wines that are usually under $20.
What are some high quality white wine brands that are common and easy to find?
Here are 10+ great white wines that are usually under $20.
Types of Red Wine
- Cabernet Sauvignon – One of the most popular types of red wine, tends to be very rich in flavor and usually pairs well with steak or peppery sauces.
- Pinot Noir – Also very popular, tends to be lighter but usually complex.
- Merlot – Can be a wide variety from fruity and smooth to more full-bodied.
- Malbec – Often spicy and rich in flavor.
- Zinfandel (Primitivo) – Tends to be bold and more fruit forward, sometimes described as jammy.
- There are many more types of red wine, but these are just some of my favorites and most common. You will also often see red blends, which can be a blend of any red wine type.
Types of White Wine
- Chardonnay – Usually on the dry side (not sweet), but can be almost buttery in flavor.
- Sauvignon Blanc – Tends to be dry and crispy.
- Riesling – Can be sweet or dry and usually fruity.
- There are many more types of white wine, but these are just some of my favorites and most common.
Rosé and Sparkling Wines
- Rosé – Pink in color, this wine is made when the skins of red grapes touch wine for only a short time. Can be dry or more on the sweeter side.
- Prosecco – Softer and a little more on the sweet side.
- Champagne – The OG fizzy wine, tends to be more on the dry side. Always reminds me of NYE.
- There are more types of sparkling wines and sweet wine blends, but these are just some of the most common ones.
Wine Bottle Sizes
- Standard – This is the universal bottle size for most wines, holds 750 ml.
- Half (Demi) – Holds half a standard size bottle of wine, 375 ml.
- Magnum – Holds two standard size bottles of wine, 1.5 L
- Jeroboam (double Magnum) – holds four standard size bottles of wine, 3 L
- Nebachadnezzar – holds 20 standard size bottles of wine! 15 L
- There are more bottle sizes, but I’ve only really encountered standard, half and magnum. I listed a few more just to give you a better idea of the options and scale.
In the above photo, you can see what 5 ounces of wine looks like in a carafe. This is a great way to serve wine if you are hosting a wine pairing or simply want to offer a more exact glass size.
Wine Accessories
- Carafe – for measuring individual servings
- Decanters – to serve wine while allowing it to breathe, which can enhance the flavor
- Stopper – sometimes you just can’t get the cork back in but you want to save wine for another night.
- Aerator – this forces wine to interact with air quickly (as poured) which can deepen the flavors
If you open a bottle of wine and don’t love it or forget to drink it all in a timely manner, don’t forget you can cook with wine! It’s a great addition to pasta sauces, soup or risotto.
Wine Glasses
