Advertisement

How to order wine: a blagger's guide to restaurant etiquette

Wine wisdom: How to order from the wine list in a restaurant: Unsplash/Kelsey Knight
Wine wisdom: How to order from the wine list in a restaurant: Unsplash/Kelsey Knight

There’s something very assuring about walking into a bar and knowing exactly what you’re going to order.

After years of going out, the chances are you’ve settled on your drink of choice by now, and ordering it is usually hassle-free.

However, there are times when only a nice bottle of wine will do and, if like many of us you're not as well-versed in the world of fine wine as you’d like to be, the idea of a sommelier coming over to take your order in a restaurant can be intimidating.

The pressure to make the correct choice can often leaving you fumbling your way through the wine list in a blind panic, only for you to pick the second-cheapest option and hope for the best.

Still, we all know that's not the way to do it, so we spoke to Bob Ritchie, founder of wine kitchen Sapling in Dalston, to find out the do’s and don’ts when it comes to ordering off the wine list.

Ask for advice

“It’s important to bear in mind that the person you are ordering wine from is there to help you and should be able bring you something delicious on your terms,” says Ritchie, “Let them do the heavy lifting and determine exactly what you want.”

Don’t be afraid of using the wrong terminology

"If you do have something in mind, use whatever language that comes to mind to help you describe what you’re looking for," adds Ritchie, "If the person serving you is passionate about their offering, they will love the opportunity to work with you to find the right wine and there are no wrong ways of describing what you want. In fact, the more imaginative and personal you make it, the easier (and more enjoyable) it will be for the person serving you.”

Be clear on your price

Ritchie is clear on this one: “Don’t be afraid to be clear on your budget – the restaurant or bar should have good wines across the full spectrum of their list.”

Know when the wine isn’t right

‘Corked’ wine is becoming a rarer phenomenon than ever these days, and if a bottle has gone off in this way it’ll smell horrible and be very apparent immediately anyway. Don’t be tempted into sending wine back just to look authoritative, but equally, if it's obvious something is wrong, don't be afraid to say so.

Temperature is something that’s more easily fixed and worth bringing to the sommelier's attention. Warm white wine is a real waste and can be easily and simply fixed, even if it’s just by bringing over an ice bucket. Remember that wine white doesn't need to be icy to be tasty and red can be served chilled – it's all down to preference.

Remember for next time

It sounds simple, but if you enjoy a particular wine during a meal make sure you remember for next time. Take note of the country of origin and the style, but above all make sure you remember the grape. While some wine lists are organised in different ways, it’s the grape and the terroir (the regional factors effecting the constitution of the wine) that make the biggest difference and are always worth remembering.

Enjoy it!

It’s easy to get bogged down in the details and get too involved in the act of ordering wine, but the really important thing is to enjoy the act of drinking itself. Bottoms up!