Send all questions to: advice@vinepair.com

What should I do to store my wine in the summer months if I don’t have a wine fridge?

Summer can be an awful time for wine. With temperatures rising at a dramatic rate, the delicate liquid inside your bottle can cook and turn very easily, which is why understanding how to properly store it is essential. If you happen to have an AC that you are willing to run 24 hours a day in order to keep your home or office in the low- to mid-70s, you don’t really have a lot to worry about in terms of storage. Same goes for if you happen to have a basement that stays cool, even in the hottest months.

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But, if you’re saving your green in order to buy more wine as opposed to spending it on the cost of AC than the only solution for you is the fridge. Yes the fridge will keep the wine at a temperature that is a bit colder than ideal, but it’s much better than allowing it to cook. Just let a bottle warm up on the counter for about 15 to 30 minutes before consuming it.

I hate working in a coffee shop. Is it O.K. for me to work in a bar?

I completely feel you. I hate working from coffee shops, too. What with all the noise, the obnoxious people, and the constant sounds of the espresso machine, I’d much rather stick with my kind of people in a bar. During the day, working from the bar is usually completely welcome, not matter the locale. Business is slow, and they’ll probably be happy to have you, even if you’re only ordering a drink or two. But, staying into happy hour and continuing to work is where working from the bar should end. By that time of day, you’re taking up space that could be occupied by customers willing to order more than you would like, so stick to the middle of the day and you should be O.K.

Do I have to use the coaster the bar puts under my drink?

Most bars are sturdy enough to handle not having a coaster put under them, but if the bar does place one under your drink, there’s no harm in being polite and using it. Also, no matter how fidgety you are, it’s pretty rude to rip up the coaster or napkin and leave the trash all over the bar, which happens a lot more often than you’d think. Plus, the coaster serves as an excellent object to place on top of your drink when you get up to go to the restroom or step outside to take a call. Treat it with respect.