If a wine is served too warm, it will taste mainly alcoholic, light in body and out of balance. Red wines will seem hot and flabby in both aroma and body. Each wine has its own ideal serving temperature, but that temperature varies from person to person. Try it yourself and see which temperature you prefer. All wines should be tasted to ensure they are sound before serving.
Sound means clean, without any flaws, off flavors or aromas.
Almost all wines benefit from some time to breathe. So, in general, pour yourself a glass of wine, sniff and taste. Swirl it around in the glass, then let it set for about five minutes before you begin drinking it. Many red wines, especially older ones, should be decanted. The ideal method is to stand the bottle upright for 24 hours before opening.