You're just a few steps away from enjoying your Cata de vinos
Once you receive your tasting pack please choose one of the options below to find out the best way to store the produce before your tasting session.
Wine Tasting Kit
White & Rose Wines
Your white and rose wines need to be served at 8 -10 degrees. If you have a wine cellar or wine cooler then please store at that temperature. Otherwise, store them in your refrigerator and take them out 20 minutes before the tasting.
Red Wines
There are different traditions regarding red wine temperature. It can vary depending on the room temperature. If you are in the a hot area like the South of Spain or Italy then you might fancy it a little cooler. However, in general the right temperature for a red wine should be between 12 and 18 degrees. The age of the wine also plays a part. You may be surprised to know that a young wine in La Rioja will often be served chilled.
For best results. keep the wine in a dry, cool and dark cabinet in horizontal position until the tasting.
Choosing the Right Wine Glass
In theory, each wine needs a glass as the shape of the glass will help enhance the wine qualities in a different way and there’s some science that backs this up. Read more here
However for your wine tasting prepare a wine glass for each wine you have received, make sure is cleaned and doesn’t have any detergent perfume or even worse cupboard smell if you haven’t used them in a while. In that case wash them and rinse them with plenty of water.
Wine Accessories
There are a variety of wine accessories but the one that you really need for your tasting is a corkscrew.
When do you open your wine bottle?
It would be great if you could open the red wines 20-30 minutes before the tasting. This will oxygenate the wine and bring out its aromas and taste. The young wines and white wines don’t need opening earlier. But if you are receiving an older vintage you might even want to consider pouring it in a decanter or in the glass.
Either way, try not to drink the wine before the virtual tasting!
Beer Tasting Kit
How to store beer?
Important, keep your beers in a vertical position to avoid oxidation and avoid sediments of yeast in your glass of beer. Also, keep them away from direct light.
Temperature
Beer storage temperature depends on whether you’re storing it short-term or long-term. For short-term storage, like a few days to a week, it’s best to keep beer at a temperature between 35-40°F (2-4°C) to maintain its quality. For long-term storage, like several months or more, it’s best to keep beer at a slightly higher temperature, around 50-55°F (10-13°C), to allow it to age properly.
As for serving temperature, it depends on the type of beer. Here are some general guidelines:
Light lagers and pilsners: 38-42°F (3-6°C)
Wheat beers and sour beers: 45-50°F (7-10°C)
Pale ales, IPAs, and amber ales: 44-50°F (7-10°C)
Brown ales, stouts, and porters should be served at around 50°F to 55°F (10°C to 12.8°C).
How long does beer last after opening?
Our advice is to drink them during the tasting once opened. Please don’t give in to temptation and drink them before! There are craft beers that last well if maintained in perfect storing conditions. But if you want to get the most of the hops of an IPA it’s sooner rather later.
Choosing the right glass
The right glass for the right beer tasting is a long debated topic. Get some of our tips here.
Please wet your glass before pouring if possible. This allows a good head to form and enhances the aromas of the beer.
Pairing tips from our beer sommelier
IPAs · matured cheese
LAGER · Seafood
STOUT · Chili, patatas bravas
HELLES LAGER · Bratwurst
DOPPELBLOCK · Roasted pork
BROWN ALES · Pumpkin
PORTER · Black chocolate
Cheese & Charcuterie Tasting Kit
Queso
Keep the cheese well sealed in the fridge until 30 minutes before the tasting. We suggest you take it out and open the package to help the cheese reach its natural conditions.
Ham & Charcuterie
Same as the cheese really, keep the product in the fridge until 30 minutes before serving. unpack for full flavour and texture
Serving temperature
The correct serving- temperature for the cheese is between 18-20 degrees for soft cheese and 22-24 degrees for hard cheese
Storing after the tasting
If you still have some products after the cheese virtual tasting and ham virtual tasting pack them well sealed and store them in the refrigerator. Soft cheese and charcuterie are best eaten within a week of opening but hard cheese can last longer.
Pairing tips
There are no rules but we have some suggestions:
1· Go with where the product is from, for example for your Parmesan buy Prosciutto
2 · Find Contrast: blue cheese with sweet sherry
3 · More contrast: Pear and Feta
Chocolate Tasting Kit
How to store them
Store the chocolate in a cool, dry place but do not store it in the fridge! Chocolate is sensitive to heat and humidity, which can cause it to melt or develop a white powdery film known as “bloom.” To prevent this, store chocolate in a cool, dry place with a consistent temperature of around 60°F to 70°F (15.5°C to 21°C).
Keep chocolate away from strong odors: Chocolate easily absorbs strong odors, which can affect its flavor. Store chocolate away from strong-smelling foods or other items such as perfumes, cleaning agents, or smoke.
Wrap the chocolate properly: Chocolate can also absorb moisture, so it’s important to wrap it properly to protect it from the elements. Wrap the chocolate in foil or plastic wrap, then place it in an airtight container to further protect it.
Store different types of chocolate separately: Different types of chocolate have different melting points and storage requirements, so it’s best to store them separately. For example, dark chocolate can be stored at a slightly warmer temperature than milk or white chocolate.
Tasting temperature
Allow time for the chocolate to come to room temperature: Before a tasting session, remove the packaging and allow it to come to room temperature. This will allow the chocolate to fully express its flavor and aroma
Pairing
You might want to try your chocolates with wine or even in a chili salad!
Cocoa is a super food, really good for both your energy level and your soul, there are so many foods you can combine chocolate with, do you have a favourite?
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