If there's any one thing the Finger Lakes area has a lot of, it is wineries. Found around Cayuga, Seneca and Keuka lakes, the wineries allow taste-testing for either a small price, or none at all if you buy wine afterward. Keep an eye out for special event weekends that many wineries host throughout the year. Call ahead for winery hours and days of operation.

Some wine enthusiasts go through elaborate rituals in serving wine, which can be fun and entertaining. But storing and serving wine is really a simple matter of following some basic guidelines.

Aging a wine

Many people think they have to "age" wine after purchasing it. This is almost always untrue.

If you can buy a wine, you can drink it--because the winemaker will not "release" it until it is ready to consume.

But properly stored wine will last for a long time, so there's no rush to consume it either. Just wait for the appropriate moment with good friends and good food--and enjoy.

Temperature

Just remember two simple formulas: 45-55-65, and 3-2-1. Sparkling wines or champagnes should be well chilled (to about 45° F/7°C) prior to serving, so refrigerate it for three hours. White table wines should be served at about 55° F/13°C, so count on two hours in the fridge; the same goes for late harvest or ice wines for dessert.

Red wines, ports and sherries should be served at cool room temperature (65° F/18°C), so if your room isn't that cool put it in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Pouring

Except for sparkling wines, you should fill glasses only about half-way. Much of wine's pleasure comes from its aroma, which should be allowed to develop in the top half of the glass. To truly savor it, swirl the wine gently before inhaling its essence.

Driving and wine

Never drink and drive or allow your friends to.

Storing wine

You don't have to have an elaborate or expensive "wine cellar" to store wine properly. Just keep it in one place (preferably cool, away from direct sunlight), with the bottles on their sides to keep the cork moistened.

Opening the bottle

First a word of caution: When opening a bottle of sparkling wine or champagne, never shake the bottle or point the cork in the direction of another person. Hold the bottle in one hand and the cork in the other, then twist the bottle until you hear a gentle pop. Sparkling and white wines should be opened just prior to serving, while red wines can be opened well before serving to allow them to "breathe" – that is, mix with air to develop their full aroma and flavor.

Source: The New York Wine and Grape Foundation.