Got an occasion coming up or a dinner at a posh restaurant? Does the thought of ordering wine for your guests bring you out in a cold sweat? You’re not alone. Many see wine as pretentious and stuffy, with people talking of ‘bouquets’ and which chateau the grapes came from! However, don’t dismay as it’s not as tough as you think to order a great wine without having attended finishing school.
If in doubt, a good rule of thumb is to choose a wine that goes with the meal you’re ordering. If the restaurant is posh enough to have a sommelier, you can pass the buck and ask them to supply a preferred wine selection that compliments the meals you’ve ordered. Perhaps you’ll be able to see the wine before you’re seated as bottles are often displayed in wine coolers. For more information on Commercial Wine Coolers, visit https://www.fridgefreezerdirect.co.uk/commercial-wine-coolers
If you want to impress your guests a little more than that, then do a little homework. Most restaurant menus and wine lists are available online, so you can view them before you visit the restaurant. You can look up anything you don’t understand or have never heard of, giving you the upper hand when it comes to the big occasion.
Don’t be afraid to ask about wines. If a restaurant has a sommelier, they have often put a lot of work into their wine selection and will be only too happy to talk about it and offer suggestions. It’s best not to simply ask what wine to order but to give them an idea of what you’re looking for, for example, something light and fruity. Tell them what meals you’re planning to order and ask for their advice based on that. You’ll look relatively clued up and you’re more likely to get a wine you enjoy. Read more Wedding decoration photos and trends 2018
If you’re trying something new, then order by the glass and not the bottle. This gives you more of an opportunity to try a few different wines. It’s a great way to try a few different flavours during your meal and not break the bank on purchasing numerous bottles.
If you find yourself lost at sea, then there’s nothing wrong with calling on an old reliable wine to get you through the dinner. If there’s a wine that you know you like, ask the server if it goes with the food you’ve ordered. If they don’t know or don’t seem to care, then order it anyway. Your enjoyment is paramount here, and if you know you like it, well, you’re the customer, right? There are many wines that are considered good all-round food-friendly wines, such as Pinot Noir and sparkling wine for example.
The best way to learn about wine is to experiment and expand your palate. You’ll be more confident and get more from the experience. Just remember that there aren’t that many wine experts, so you’re highly unlikely to make yourself look silly by trying. And if you do end up looking clueless, so what? Break through that barrier so that you will eventually get your bearings and grow in confidence when it comes to ordering wine.
