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How to order wine in a restaurant (without looking like a fool)
How to order wine in a restaurant (without looking like a fool)
Shirt: Shirt with midi-length Sleeves | Navy
Have you ever found yourself at a restaurant, unsure of what to say when the waiter or sommelier asks for your wine preference? It can be quite an uncomfortable moment, especially in certain company. However, there’s no need to fear this situation. After reading this guide, you’ll confidently order wine like a pro — or at least conceal any uncertainties.
Surveying a restaurant’s wine list can be overwhelming. There’s so much to know about wine —grape varieties, wine-growing regions, climate, soil, altitude, and other factors influencing the wine’s quality. It’s perfectly understandable not to have a clue about all of this. Sommeliers spend years studying to attain such knowledge. Remember, sommeliers are there to assist you, not to quiz your expertise. You’re paying for a unique dining experience, and the right wine choice can significantly enhance it.
So, how do you order wine in a restaurant?
The simplest approach is to be honest and open. Admit that you’re not a wine expert, inform the sommelier about your chosen meal and ask for a wine that complements it. It’s the sommelier’s responsibility to be familiar with every wine on the list as well as every dish on the menu to ensure a harmonious pairing. Your role is to clearly communicate your preferences — whether you prefer a dry or fruity wine, red or white, or even champagne — or to defer the decision entirely to the sommelier. Also, don’t forget to specify your price range. Don’t hesitate or feel embarrassed about doing so; it helps the sommelier, and you’ll avoid any unpleasant surprises when the bill arrives.
Avoid vague terms like “medium price range”
There’s no universal definition for this term. Your idea of a medium-priced bottle might differ significantly from the sommelier’s. Instead, be specific and mention a particular price range, such as “up to €45” or “between €20 and €30.”
Avoid vague terms
like “medium price range”
There’s no universal definition for this term. Your idea of a medium-priced bottle might differ significantly from the sommelier’s. Instead, be specific and mention a particular price range, such as “up to €45” or “between €20 and €30.”
However, there are situations where you might want to project confidence and knowledge, such as when you’re on a date or dining with business associates. Being the one to select the wine can feel daunting, as all eyes are on you. But there are strategies to handle this situation successfully and with confidence:
Always remember that you’re not just choosing for yourself but for the entire group. Consider their preferences — some may dislike red wine, heavy wines, sweet wines, or those with high alcohol content. Also, consider whether everyone will order the same menu or opt for à la carte. Avoid ordering an expensive bottle of champagne if everyone prefers a simple white wine — unless you’re the one who’s paying.
When does it make sense to order a bottle instead of individual glasses?
Restaurants usually divide the price of a bottle into 4 glasses, but a bottle is actually up to 5 glasses – depending on how you pour the wine. So if you’re more than 4 persons, ordering a bottle makes more financial sense, as you’ll get more wine for your money.
When does it make sense to order a bottle instead of individual glasses?
Restaurants usually divide the price a bottle into 4 glasses, but a bottle is actually up to 5 glasses – depending on how you pour the wine. So if you’re more than 4 persons, ordering a bottle makes more financial sense, as you’ll get more wine for your money.
When conversing with the sommelier, you may not want to admit your lack of wine knowledge. Instead, explain the situation that everyone will have a different dish or the same dish, that it should not be a sweet wine and that you’d like him to choose the right wine for the group – or maybe he suggests certain wines and you choose one of them (with confidence).
Use your fingers
Even when you’re with a group, you should to set a price range, but in a more discreet way. If you’re the one who’s inviting the whole table, you probably don’t want them to know the exact price you’re willing to pay for a bottle of wine. You can do that by using your fingers. Tell the sommelier, that you want something “in this price range” and point your fingers on a certain price on the menu. The sommelier will get it and your companions won’t know how much (or little) you’re willing to pay.
Get prepared
Preparation is key, especially for important dinners or lunches where you want to impress your guests. Review the wine list online in advance and select your wine. Alternatively, arrive early at the restaurant and discuss the wine list with the sommelier. Pay close attention to their recommendations and dazzle your guests with your wine knowledge.
What if there’s no sommelier?
Most high class and fine dining restaurants have wine sommeliers, whose expertise lies in selecting the perfect wine pairings. Other restaurants train their waiters to know at least the wines on the list and help you make the right choice. They might not suggest the perfect wine four you but they’ll usually find a good one.
Then there are restaurants, that don’t have anyone who knows about wine. In such cases, there’s one simple solution: ask the waiter which wine he serves the most. It will probably not be an extraordinary one but it won’t be a bad choice.
Now that you’re equipped with the know-how to order wine at a restaurant, the only thing left is to learn how to taste it properly. But that’s a topic for another article.