" Decoy " Duckhorn Recipe

Chill or open

If the Decoy Red Blend has been refrigerated, allow the bottle to sit at cool cellar temperature (55–65°F / 13–18°C) for 15–20 minutes before serving. If stored at room temperature, you can chill it briefly for 20–30 minutes in the refrigerator to bring it to an ideal serving temperature (about 60–65°F / 15–18°C) for a red blend.

Prepare glassware

Select clean, stemmed red wine glasses. Warm them briefly with your hands to avoid shocking the wine if it is cool. Place one glass per expected guest and make sure they are free from detergent residue or odors.

Open the bottle

Use a waiter’s corkscrew or a wine key. Cut the foil below the lip of the bottle, wipe the top of the bottle, insert the corkscrew into the cork (centered) and twist down until one spiral remains, then lever the cork out smoothly. Inspect the cork for any signs of leakage or mold (slight mold on cork exterior can be normal and isn't always a fault).

Decanting (optional)

For a young or tightly structured red blend, decant into a clean decanter for 30–60 minutes to allow the wine to open and soften. For an older bottle, decant only to separate sediment by pouring slowly and watching for solids near the bottle neck.

Pouring

Hold the bottle at the base and pour about 4–6 ounces (120–180 ml) per glass. Pour in a steady stream; when serving multiple guests, pour a small pour for each and then top up if needed. If you decanted, pour from the decanter rather than the bottle.

Store unfinished bottle

If you have remaining wine after serving, reseal with the original cork or a wine stopper and refrigerate. Red wine will keep for 3–5 days refrigerated with a stopper; allow it to warm slightly before serving again.

Prepare accompaniments

Arrange bread or crackers on a small board and slice or portion the cheese to room temperature so its flavors are evident. Provide water glasses and a small bowl of room-temperature water for guests to cleanse their palates between sips or tastings.

Tasting

Encourage guests to observe the wine’s color, swirl gently to release aromas, inhale to appreciate the bouquet, and take a small sip, letting it coat the mouth to assess body, tannin, acidity, and finish.