5 Tips for Ordering Wine Like a Pro
Whether I’m on a date or out to dinner with family, more likely than not I'm getting passed the wine list. Some wine lists are obnoxiously long and hard to navigate, especially for novices. Ordering for a whole table is a big responsibility! But no fear. Here are 5 tips for how to order wine with confidence.
1. Decide what you want to eat, first
It's not even a hot take, lukewarm at best, wine and food have a really big impact on each other. So either decide what you want to eat and order based on that, OR if you’re pickier about your wine than your food, decide what you want to drink and order food to pair well with it. I wrote a helpful article with tips for how to pair food and wine.
2. Check the “wines by the glass” section
Look through the wines by the glass before diving into bottles. If you’re ordering for a group, a bottle will be more economical. However, wines by the glass will be some of the restaurant’s most popular wines, so that is a good place to start even if you do want a bottle.
Also, if the wine list is unfamiliar or overwhelming, check the wines available by the glass to see if any interest you, and ask for a taste of 2-3 before committing to a bottle. If a wine is available by the glass, the bottle will likely be open already so they shouldn’t mind giving you a taste for free. This allows you to try before you buy so you know you’ll be happy with your bottle choice. If you’ve gone to dinner with me recently, you already know I do this literally every time I eat out because I’m picky! Sorry, not sorry. If I’m spending big money on a bottle, I want to love it, and the restaurant should not be petty enough to charge me for an ounce of wine.
3. Decide how much you want to spend
A bottle of wine can easily be marked up 250% over the cost to the restaurant, so a wine at the lowest end of the price range on the list might be bottom of the barrel in terms of quality. Also, some regions have better value in terms of quality, South Africa being my favorite in the New World, Portugal being my Old World fave. A popular Napa Cabernet Sauvignon like Caymus is going to be marked up way high relative to the quality, so don’t be afraid to try something new if you want to get more bang for your buck.
4. Determine how the list is organized
If you see sections for "California” or “France” rather than “White” or “Red” you kinda need to know what wines come out of those regions to order effectively. This is more difficult in the old world (Europe) where the bottle will say Chablis, the area where the grapes were grown, but not Chardonnay, the grape type. This can be frustrating. Blame the French. Don't be discouraged though! If it is a nice autumn day and you know you want a lighter red wine, google lighter reds from France or Italy, then cross-check with the menu. The process might take a bit longer, but it is worth it. Or if you are feeling adventurous and want to try something you don’t recognize, the easiest thing to do is...
5. Ask for help!
Ask for the sommelier or wine expert at the restaurant to help you make your choice. Tell them what you plan to order to eat, the max you’re willing to spend, and a couple of wines or brands you tend to enjoy IRL. They will make recommendations for you. Then, google the recommendations, especially if there isn’t a bottle open to give you a taste (see #2). If there isn’t a somm on site, ask for a waiter that is familiar with the wine list to help you. Don’t be shy! It is their job to help you have an amazing dining experience, and picking the right wine is a big part of that.
Holler at me if you have any questions. Go forth and order with confidence. Cheers!