How to Order Wine at a Restaurant
Choosing wine when eating out can be a daunting task, particularly for those who don’t think they know much about wine (only that they want a glass!). Many of us are guilty of the old when-in-doubt-order-the-second-cheapest-bottle move, but you can do better than that – if you enjoy wining and dining in the slightest, you are perfectly capable of choosing a wine that best suits your palate and budget.
Here are some tips for approaching the wine list at your next outing:
Ask questions
- First and foremost, ask! There is a reason waiters, sommeliers and bar staff are there – asking questions makes you look engaged and interested, not unknowledgeable. Staff are usually eager to provide plenty of guidance without pretension.
- Suggested questions include:
o “What have you been drinking lately? Is there anything you’re loving on the wine list right now? Anything new we need to try?”
o “We are thinking of ordering X for dinner. Can you give us a couple of wines that would go well with that?” (In asking for multiple suggestions, you can shortlist some ideas and then working within your budget)
o “We are looking for a red/white, something in the $X range. Can you recommend something?” (Seriously, this is okay to ask – there is no shame in ordering on the cheaper side, it’s on their list after all!)
Don’t be afraid to ask the waitstaff questions about the glasses they are pouring and bottles they are serving
Look for patterns
- The best way to get familiar with wine and figure out what you like is to try wines and look for patterns – if you remember liking a Pinot you tried from the Yarra Valley, there’s a good chance you’ll like another from the same region. If you always find the wine you order too sweet, there’s a reason – tell the somm what you do or don’t like and they can help you narrow things from there.
- If you know you like a certain varietal and want to try a new producer, but are nervous about spending big dollars on something you aren’t sure you’ll like, see if the restaurant serves half bottles – this is a commonly overlooked feature of wine lists, and is a great way to get familiar with wines you might not otherwise purchase by the bottle.
Work backwards
- You may not know a ton about wine, but you know plenty about food and what you like to eat! Choose your meals first, then sift through the wine list and decide what sounds good – try a different glass with each course, or a bottle that seems suitable for the whole meal.
A perfect pairing at Polperro winery
Remember, there is no right and wrong when it comes to wine – try some of these techniques, make note of what you do and don’t like, trust the experts that are there to help and – as always – trust you gut!
If you want more tips on getting familiar with wine, check out our article on Wine Tasting for Beginners.
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Great advice! Ordering wine used to stress me out, I’d stare at the list pretending to think deeply while secretly panicking. The best solution is just asking questions. Sommeliers actually love sharing their favorites, and once I realized there’s no shame in saying, “I like dry whites under $40”, it became fun. I also started noticing patterns, like always loving Pinot from Oregon. And if all else fails, I pair wine the same way I troubleshoot anything, calmly, unlike the time I was hunting info on https://www.pissedconsumer.com/company/grove/customer-service.html. Wine should be enjoyable, not stressful.
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Now I always do this — I ask for advice, look for patterns in flavors, and wine has become part of the fun, not a headache. When, after such evenings, I need to quickly pay the bill or transfer money to friends for a shared table, Paybis at https://paybis.com/business/paybis-send/ has become my savior: instant crypto payments around the world, low fees, no unnecessary checks, and everything arrives in seconds. Now, after wine, it’s easy to split the bill without waiting for bank transfers.
Choosing the right wine when dining out can feel like a challenge, especially if you’re not a wine expert. It’s totally fine to ask for help, as waitstaff are usually more than happy to guide you through the menu without making you feel awkward. If you’re looking to make the most of your experience, check out this bonus spinmama that offers insights on wine selections. Remember, trying different wines and sharing your preferences with the staff can lead to discovering new favorites, so don’t hesitate to explore beyond the usual choices.
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