If you panic when the server hands you a wine list, you might feel overwhelmed or put on the spot, especially if you're trying to impress a date. While it helps to have some idea of varietals you enjoy, you should be able to read the list and narrow down the selection. Fortunately, the server or sommelier can help you find a wine that tastes great, matches your meal, and fits your budget.
[Edit]Steps
[Edit]Narrowing Your Choices
- Read the wine list in advance if possible. You might feel more comfortable ordering wine if you have lots of time to decide before you get to the restaurant. Check the restaurant's website for a wine list or call and ask what's on offer.[1]
- If you can't read the list in advance, don't worry. It's perfectly fine to take several minutes reading through the selection, especially if it's more than a page long.
- Think about what food you'll be eating with the wine. If you're going out, consider what type of meal you're eating. For example, will you probably order a seafood dish, a meaty steak, or a light chicken dish? Maybe you're just going out for wine and appetizers or dessert. Try to pick the food before choosing the wine.[2]
- Keep in mind that wine from the region you're eating often pairs well. For example, if you're eating Spanish tapas, you might want a Spanish wine.
- Choose red or white wine. One of the fastest ways to narrow down a lengthy wine list is to decide if you're going to drink red or white wine. Keep in mind that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to pairing wine with food, so feel free to order your favorite type of wine.
- For example, if you never drink red wine, it's alright to just look at the whites, even if they don't traditionally pair with what you're going to eat.
- If you're ordering for the table, ask what the other people prefer to drink.
- Decide if you'll order a glass or bottle. Sharing a bottle of wine is a good way to save money if you and several people at the table all want to drink the same thing. If you're not sure what you like or you want to try a few different wines, start with just a glass.
- You may want to order wine by the glass if you'd like different varietals throughout a meal. For example, you might want a sparkling wine with appetizers, red wine with your main course, and a dessert wine to finish.
- Look for wines that are within your budget. Some restaurants might only have a handful of wines on their list while others have several pages of offerings. Scan the list to see which wines you feel comfortable paying for. This should eliminate some wines that might be too expensive for you.[3]
- If you're looking for the least expensive wine, check for the house wine selection.
[Edit]Choosing a Specific Varietal
- Decide if you'll order a new wine or one you've already tried. You may be familiar with a few wines on the list because you've had them before. If you enjoyed them, you could play it safe and order one of these. If you feel like branching out and experiencing a new varietal, order something you've never tried before.[4]
- You don't have to order something completely out of your comfort zone. For example, if you know you like French Pinot Noir, why not try a Pinot Noir from the West Coast of the U.S.?
- Familiarize yourself with flavor profiles. Think about the characteristics of wine that you drink and choose a wine that matches those profiles. If you don't have time to learn varietal profiles, you should be able to describe the flavors you want. These are some popular flavor profiles and examples of varietals that meet them:[5]
- Light and fruity: Lambrusco, Primitivo, and Garnacha
- Light and earthy: Burgundy, Beaujolais, Riesling
- Bold and fruity: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz or Syrah, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Malbec
- Bold and earthy: Cabernet Franc, Bordeaux, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, or Chianti
- Order well-known wines if you want a familiar tasting wine. Even if you don't know a lot about wine, you probably realize that wines from France and the Napa Valley are in high demand. This makes them a safe choice to order, but it also means that they might cost you a little more. Consider sticking with one of these crowd-pleasing wines:[6]
- Merlot
- Cabernet
- Riesling
- Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay
- Select wine from a less popular region if you'd like to save money. Wine is grown all over the world, not just in the popular regions you've seen the most. Do your research or ask the sommelier to recommend an interesting and overlooked wine-growing region. These are great deals because they usually cost as much as wines from well-known regions. Try a wine from one of these overlooked regions:[7]
- South Africa
- Argentina
- New Zealand
- Chile
- Moldova
- Ask a sommelier for advice. If you'd like a few specific recommendations, tell the sommelier what you're planning to eat and give them a rough idea of your budget. It can also help to tell them what varietals you usually enjoy. Then, they should be able to give you at least a couple of suggestions.[8]
- Try to be specific when asking for information about the wine. Instead of saying, "What should I try?" you could say, "I'm interested in this wine and that wine. Which one is lighter and fruitier?"
[Edit]Enjoying Your Selection
- Verify that the wine's correct if you ordered a bottle. The server should present the wine to you so you can see the label. Check to see that it's the right vintage and bottle that you ordered. If it is, the server will open it at your table and pour you a sample.[9]
- If the wine isn't exactly what you ordered, tell your server. They'll return with the correct bottle or let you know if they don't actually have the bottle you ordered.
- Smell and taste the wine to see if it's corked. Once the server pours a sample of the wine or brings your glass of wine, take a deep sniff of it. The wine should smell fragrant and delicious, not like wet newspaper or cardboard. Then, swirl the wine gently and take a sip. If the wine has corked, it will taste weak, dull, or astringent.[10]
- If the wine was bottled with a screw top or synthetic cork, the wine can't become corked.
- Approve the sample if you ordered a bottle. If you don't think the wine is corked, you can tell the server that the wine is good to pour. Then, the server will pour wine for everyone who's going to share the bottle.[11]
- If you think the wine is corked, let the server know. They'll bring a different bottle for you to sample.
- You should only return the wine if it's corked, even if the flavor isn't quite to your liking.
- Communicate your wine preferences to the server. If you plan on ordering another glass or bottle, you can continue to drink the same wine or choose a new one. Discuss the next wine you want to try with the sommelier. For example, you might say, "I enjoyed this Pinot Noir, but I think now I'd like a wine with a bolder body and bigger finish."[12]
- Let the server know if you'd like your wine chilled further if the temperature isn't to your liking.
- Remember your preferences so you can make a more informed choice next time. Don't be afraid to try new wines! You might find a wine that you really enjoy or you may drink one that you don't want to order in the future. Consider keeping a list of the wines you order and make notes about their flavor profiles so you can become an experienced wine drinker.
- Check your phone to see if you can download a wine tasting app. This can make it easier to track the wines you've tried.
[Edit]Tips
- Go to wine tastings and festivals in your area so you can explore a variety of wines. You'll quickly learn which wines and wine-growing regions you enjoy.
- If you're trying to save money, avoid buying "showcase" wines. These are usually some of the most expensive or rare wines on the list.
[Edit]Related wikiHows
[Edit]References
- ↑ http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/04/how-to-order-wine-at-a-restaurant-tips.html
- ↑ https://www.insider.com/how-to-order-wine-beginner-tips-2017-7
- ↑ https://www.insider.com/how-to-order-wine-beginner-tips-2017-7
- ↑ https://www.coastalliving.com/food/entertaining/wine-guide-0
- ↑ https://www.oregonwines.com/wine-varietal-guide/
- ↑ https://www.winemag.com/2017/04/27/ten-wine-tips-for-beginners/
- ↑ https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/food-and-drink/photos/10-of-the-world-s-hidden-wine-regions
- ↑ https://www.insider.com/how-to-order-wine-beginner-tips-2017-7
- ↑ https://etiquette-ny.com/wine-etiquette-in-a-restaurant-how-to-look-like-a-polished-host-when-ordering-wine/
- ↑ https://vinepair.com/wine-101/tell-wine-corked/
- ↑ http://winefolly.com/tutorial/how-to-order-wine-at-a-restaurant/
- ↑ https://www.winemag.com/2017/02/17/winelistdecoded/
No comments:
Post a Comment