Wine, Please?
Most of us here didn’t grow up in a winery. It is hence not surprising that we are often lost when presented with a wine list, specially when the list is more than a page long. The embarrassment comes when the waiter or steward gives us the once-over look that says, “Do you know what are you ordering?”
Well, we’ve had enough and it’s about time that we put up a good show and make these people crumble in shame.
Just kidding.
It’s not the waiters or stewards that we want to make a point, but more like the significant other seated next to us. After all, the whole point of having poise and immaculate manners is about leaving a lasting impression, isn’t it? And we don’t want a bad aftertaste to go with it either.
So, let’s get equipped with this often neglected but essential slice of life – the fine art of wine ordering.
What to order
When it comes to selecting American and Australian wines, a safe bet will be to avoid Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Go for something bolder like Zindafel and Syrah (Shiraz in Australia) for red American wines and Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc for American whites. The same principle applies for Australian wines, except no Zindafel, please.
For French wines, order the reds from Rhone and whites from Alsace or Loire. Avoid Burgundy unless you are confident of the choices.
Italian wines come in a wide variety but they are also pricier. If money is an object, the Super-Tuscan wines are good choice.
Wines from Spain are well priced but most are sold in bulk. Rioja, both red and white is one of the higher quality Spanish wines.
When ordering champagne or sparkling wine, don’t go for the famous Dom Perignon and Cristal Champagne because they are often produced in bulk, thus make it hard to maintain the quality. Try Taittinger’s Comte de Champagne or Charbaut Certificate instead.
When the bottle comes
So, you have taken your pick, and the selected bottle is now presented in front of you. What’s next? First and foremost, make sure that the bottle is sealed. If it is not, send it back and ask for a sealed one, unless the bottle is really cheap.
Next, check the labeling on the bottle to ensure that the vintage and vineyard indicated are correct. If not, ask for the right one.
Wine tasting time!
Before you take a swig and a swallow, look at what’s being poured into your glass. If it is cloudy or full of particles, send it back.
If the wine is clear, swirl it gently in the glass. Place two fingers on the stem of the glass and make small circles while the glass is on the table.
After the swirl, sniff the wine while it is still moving within the glass. What you should look out for are the “off” odours, including the smells of wet cardboard, vinegar, sour milk, cooking cabbage, or runner. If the smell is faint, swirl the glass and smell again. If the odours persist but is not too bad, taste the wine. If it tastes fine, then you can either send it back or tell the waiter to decant it quickly so that the smell gets better. If the smell is too strong, send it back.
If the wine looks and smell fine, but tastes bad, and was recommended by the waiter or steward, then you can let him know and if he does nothing about it, this should be the last time you order wine in this restaurant.
Tasting champagne and sparkling wine
Champagnes and sparkling wines are usually not offered for tasting. All you need to watch out for is whether the drink has bubbles in it. If you are offered a taste, you can inspect the wine to confirm that there are bubbles before you accept the drink.
What temperature should wines be served in?
White wine is often not served chilled. The reason is that keeping it too cool will actually ruin the wine. If you only like wine when it is cold, you may like to choose the less expensive options. Sparkling wine, on the other hand, must be served cold.
How much is too much?
The waiter or steward should know that they are not supposed to overfill the glass. Wine should in fact not be poured beyond the half-glass mark. This is too allow some space for the guest to swirl the glass.
Yes, ordering wine is that simple. Now, all you have to do is charm your date with your newfound wisdom and ask for that wine list.
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