Dr. Vinny’s Top 10 New Questions of 2023
Counting down the year’s most popular wine questions, from storage to serving and beyond
Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, but you can call me Vinny. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the fine points of etiquette to the science of winemaking. And don't worry, I'm no wine snob—you can also ask me those "dumb questions" you're too embarrased to ask your wine geek friends! I hope you find my answers educational, empowering and even amusing. And don't forget to check out my most asked questions and my full archives for all my Q&A classics.
I love the winter holidays, and not just because they’re an opportunity to share great wine with friends and family. The end of the year is also an occasion to reflect on the wonderful reader questions I’ve had the privilege of answering over the past 12 months. You always wow (and challenge!) me, and I hope you’ll keep them coming in 2024!
Below are the year’s top 10 most popular questions, covering topics from party etiquette to storage conundrums and beyond. Just click on the headlines below to read each answer. Here’s to another great year of demystifying and enjoying wine in 2024—you can catch me here each week, and also on past episodes of Wine Spectator’s Straight Talk podcast. Cheers!
10. I shook a bottle of wine with sediment and now it’s cloudy. Is it ruined?
Here’s what you've stirred up—and how to make that cloudy wine drinkable again.
9. If a review says “drink by” a few years ago, is the wine bad now?
Here’s how to interpret our drink recommendations for your own palate.
8. Is it OK for a dinner guest to help themselves to a host’s wine cellar?
Proceed at your own risk! And keep our guidelines in mind.
7. Should I rinse or change my wineglass when pouring a new wine?
Like so much in life, it depends on the wine—and on your preference.
6. If my friends bring an expensive bottle of wine to dinner, should I pay the corkage fee?
Here’s an elegant solution to finding yourself empty-handed when dining out with friends.
5. If I bring an expensive bottle of wine to dinner, do I have to share it?
Sharing is caring: Manners learned in kindergarten still hold true for adults!
4. How long can an aged bottle of wine stay in good condition after being opened?
Tricks for keeping your older bottle in tip-top shape once you pop the cork
3. Is it better to keep a bottle of red wine in the fridge or in a hot apartment?
Has your wine been feeling the heat? Consider some cooler storage alternatives.
2. Should I keep bottles of wine upright or on their sides?
Or even upside down?
1. At a party, I accidentally opened an expensive bottle of wine. What should I do?
Accidents happen! Here’s how to make this one right.
