Navigating a restaurant wine list

Navigating a Restaurant Wine List

Being in a restaurant setting can make choosing wine quite daunting, but there are a few tricks that can help you make confident choices the whole table will enjoy.

How to Approach a Wine List

First of all, don't panic! It can be tempting to just choose the second from the top as a 'safe bet', but you could be missing out on a delicious wine.

Take your time. Familiarise yourself with the whole list, and see whether there are any grape names or countries you recognise.

Consider what food you're about to eat. If you're with a group and everyone's eating something different, you know to look for an all-round crowd-pleaser rather than a specific pairing.

Ask for help from the sommelier or someone who has put the wine list together. Say what your budget is from the outset, as well as any styles you like, so that they can help you get the best out of the wine list.

Finding the Hidden Gems

Often, if you go for a big and recognisable name, you could be paying a premium. The best tactic is to look out for wines from under-the-radar regions. For example, a more budget-friendly alternative to a food-friendly Chablis is a wine from Gascony in France. Other countries to try are Portugal and South Africa.

If you're nervous about committing, or just want to try a variety, opt for wines that are served by the glass. This is not only an opportunity to pair different wines with the different courses of food you're having, but also a great way to discover some hidden gems.

Tasting the Bottle

Traditionally, this was an established practice to check that the wine wasn't off or corked. Nowadays, it's still worth sampling a taste of the wine before it's served, as while a corked wine is much less common, it still happens occasionally. It could also be that the wine might have slightly oxidised and doesn't taste particularly fresh.

Generally, our taste buds are to be trusted, so if something doesn't taste right to you, don't be afraid to raise this with the sommelier or waiter.

Another thing to look out for when tasting a bottle is the temperature of the wine. You want a white wine to be suitably chilled but not so cold that you can't taste it. Equally, you don't want a wine to be too warm, and if this is the case, you can definitely request a colder bottle or an ice bucket.

Sparkling Wine

With sparkling wine in particular, you want it to be really fresh and full of bubbles. If the restaurant is serving it by the glass, you might find it to be a little flat if the bottle has been opened for a while. If this is the case, ask for a glass from a freshly opened bottle.

House Wines

Depending on where you go, house wines are often a relatively safe bet. Whoever put the wine list together will have invested time into choosing a wine that's good value, from a respected region, and great with food.

That being said, it might not be the most memorable, so try to be a little braver and try something new – you never know what you'll discover!

Tasting Menus

A really great way to learn more about wine, as well as get the most out of your food, is to opt for a tasting menu. This is when a restaurant will have thoughtfully paired different wines with each course, and the decisions are made for you.

Not only has the hard work already been taken care of, but you'll also get to try some really interesting wines and perhaps find a new favourite.

If You're Really Stuck...

...here are some great, food-friendly, good-value wines to look out for:

Red

Malbec from Argentina - works with most meats and will always bring a vibrant, sunny flavour to your table.

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages from France - a blend of grapes, usually Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, and offers a juicy hit of fruit with a little spice.

White

Chenin Blanc from France or South Africa - a brilliant food wine that's great value.

Muscadet from the Loire Valley, France - will take any type of seafood in its stride.

Picpoul from Languedoc, France - another great option to enjoy with seafood.

Vintages

For white or rosé, you're often better off going for a younger, fresher wine.

When it comes to red, you may be faced with more options – but don't panic, trust that the wine will be from a good vintage if it's made it onto the wine list.

Your Assignment

Next time you visit a restaurant, ask the waiter for a wine recommendation based on something you already know you like; that way, you'll discover something you've never tried before. Remember to take your trusty wine notebook and jot down any thoughts or flavours that come to mind.