How to Order Wine in a Restaurant

Ordering wine in a restaurant is not much different than buying it in a wine store. The main difference is that you have an audience. Yet ordering wine in a restaurant can be intimidating especially if the wine list is extensive.

Experiment or Homework
Keep in mind that even the experts will not be familiar with every selection on a wine list. If you are a novice and your are going on an important date, you should do a little homework to get some idea of what you might want to order. Unless you are feeling extremely adventurous, a restaurant is usually not the place to try something new since the mark up can range from 100 to 200%.

The Wine List
Today, most restaurants have a wine list, but expect a myriad of shapes and sizes. Some establishments might simply offer just a house red or white, while others have a daily blackboard to outline their rotating selection. Most wine lists are presented as a printed menu, with the wines arranged by color; red, white, and rose and the region of country. Additionally, many establishments will number their wines on the list, which helps big-time if you do not know how to pronounce the wine. You can simply say, "I will have the number 8".

Before you order, you are going to want to factor in what you are going to be eating. Unfortunately, not a lot of menus give advice on food pairing. If you need some help talk to the wine steward, or sommelier. They are there to help you make the best decision for your occasion, and a good one will not try to take you out of your price range.

Getting the Best Wine for Your Money
? Skip the house wine. Unless you are familiar with the house wine, don't bother because they generally carry the highest mark up.
? Scan the wine list too quickly to get an idea on the average price of a bottle. Try to stay within this median price range where the mark ups tend to be average.
? Choose a wine from the same region as the restaurant's food specialty. A good French restaurant, for instance, should have a solid selection of French wines.
? Ask the server for a recommendation. Just ask if they have any special values currently.
? If two or more at your table are going to have a few glasses of wine, it is cheaper to order by the bottle than the glass.

Corkage
Many restaurants will open and serve a bottle of wine brought by the patron. A quick call to the restaurant will confirm if this is possible, and if so, they will charge a corkage fee. They usually charge between $5 and $15 per bottle, although some restaurants will charge a lower fee if the wine brought is not on their wine list.

Contributor: Stuart Glasure [A wine enthusiast and publishing member of the wine source: http://www.WineDefinitions.com.]

---

An Idiots Guide To Wine Tasting

Have you ever seen those stiff upper-lipped types doing a... Read More

Whisky Syndicates

Whisky syndicates are groups of private owners and many have... Read More

Beer, Wine and Your Bones

If you like the taste of a good brew, then... Read More

The Curious History Of Wine Consumption In America

The history of wine consumption in America has been frought... Read More

How Sparkling Wine is Made

There are three methods that may be used to make... Read More

The Ten Most Important Wine Label Terms

For the average wine consumer, there is a plethora of... Read More

Tasting Wine

Wine Tasting Component I: LookThe first step you have to... Read More

The Stuff of Poetry ? Mead

People have been drinking fermented beverages since the dawn of... Read More

Wine, Wine, Wine

What in the world is up!Was there a full moon... Read More

Wine and Your Health

During the 1990s, a physician voiced on a national TV... Read More

The Harmony between Wine and Food

Wine is a social drink which should be enjoyed in... Read More

Bordeaux Wine

Bordeaux is a region in France that produces some of... Read More

DWI and Blood Alcohol Concentration: What does it mean?

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the relationship between the amount... Read More

A Private Owners Guide to Bottling Fine Whisky

The majority of private owners of whisky casks are looking... Read More

Choosing a Wine Gift Basket

During the holiday season, most of us are in a... Read More

Pairing Food and Wine is a Matter of Taste

First off let me say that I am in no... Read More

The Truth About Red Wine and Heart Disease

Red Wine, Heart Disease, Hungry Sharks and Knights in Shining... Read More

How to Order Wine in a Restaurant

Ordering wine in a restaurant is not much different than... Read More

The Harmony Between Food and Wine

Wine is a social drink which should be enjoyed in... Read More

Wine Tasting -- The Traditional Way

Wine tasting is properly known as 'Wine Degustation'. It is... Read More

Overcoming Red Wine Spills

Red wine spills can be a disaster whether they occur... Read More

Gewurztraminer Wine

Gewurztraminer is an excellent and unique grape variety that is... Read More

Who Made the First Wine Anyway?

Although details are understandably sketchy, it is believed that, around... Read More

Rare Varietals Cure Wine Boredom

The future of the Australian wine industry will be shaped... Read More

Burgundy Wine

Burgundy red wines are produced in an area of France... Read More

Choosing that Perfect Wine for a Dinner Party

So, you find yourself having been invited to a dinner... Read More

Australia Is More Than Jacobs Creek

The Jacobs Creek Brand of wines have taken the world... Read More

Hosting A Wine Tasting Party

As your love and knowledge of wine grows, it is... Read More

Chardonnay Wine

Chardonnay is the world's most popular white wine grape. Chardonnay... Read More

Tempranillo?s Role As A New Varietal Wine In Australia

Tempranillo is the premium red wine grape variety from the... Read More

Carignane Wine

The Carignane grape variety is one of the most widely... Read More

Beer and The Commodities Market

Most branded products and agricultural products are not commodities. However... Read More

If You Plan On Drinking, Do These Critical Things Before You Leave The House

Buy a BreathalyzerA Breathalyzer is a portable hand-held device in... Read More